She sat alone, in her room, by herself as she always did. Wherever her room was: Washington, California, Nevada, Connecticut she was alone. Alone with her dolls her parents gave her every birthday and Christmas. A new one to add to the collection. She never played with them. She hated dolls. They stayed in their glass casings on her closet, never opened...in perfect condition.
He promised to be there. It was fathers' day at school and everyone had bought their dad in to tell the class what he did. A few worked in offices, a few worked in buildings, one was a policeman who also worked as a clown for parties. And one was a doctor. She admired this father, as much as a 6 year old can. She waited for her 'daddy' to walk into the classroom. For hours the other kids played with their dads and she sat alone in a corner with a puzzle. It took the other kids a long time to do...but she did it in 15 minutes. Her teacher came up to her once "Maggie...is your dad here yet?" "It's Margaret...no." she replied coldly. That's all she ever was...cold. The teacher stood up and went over to a group of kids with their dads. Silently a tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away and continued with another puzzle. When it came for her turn to show her daddy...she stood up, put her strong face on and said "My daddy's in the army...he's too busy training soldiers to be here." And with that she sat back down and continued to stare at her desk. He never came. She watched the other kids get in cars and drive home with their dads, she had to walk home, as usual, alone.
She walked onto the base; it was empty barring the 2 guard on duty who were playing poker. 'Must be target practice' she thought. Silently she walked past where the guards were playing, head down not looking around. She walked up to where their 'house' was and went inside. No one was home...she was alone. She walked through the living area, down the hall and into her room. Neat, tidy and clean as always. She never had anything to do but clean. She sat her bag on the door handle, took off her shoes and socks and lied down on her bed. School had finished an hour ago...she was tired and was upset. She'd never let it surface though. That would be weak.
She stared at the dolls...she hated them.
Closing her eyes she remembered the only holiday they went on. She was 4 and they headed up to Montana to visit her grandmother. It was her most precious memory and she loved the time spent up there. She didn't find it unusual that they were on a holiday. A month after they got back her grandmother was dead.
She awoke after hearing tiny footsteps in the hallway. "Magwet?" Apparently she wasn't alone. "Where's mom?" she asked the 3 year old. "Gawn." Replied the baby, sniffling. She had a cold and was home by herself. "Where?" "No" meant Elizabeth didn't know. "Dwink" the baby was thirsty and their mother hadn't been home for some time. "Come on." She took the younger girl's hand and walked into the kitchen. She stood on tip-toes to reach the sink and made a grab for the tap; water spurted everywhere. She got angry. She went into the living room and started dragging the table to the kitchen. Once done she stood on it and filled up the bottle with water. The baby stayed silent throughout everything. "Tank ooh Magwet" the little girl said politely, sticking the bottle in her mouth and drinking.
The phone rang. It was the police. "Mr Houlihan?" the man asked "He's not home." She sighed. "Who is this?" she then asked. "My name's Officer Dalby...we have a Mrs Houlihan in custody." Her face dropped. 'Not again' she thought. "MAGWET!" the baby screamed. "Hold on please." She asked him, getting down off the chair and over to her sister. "What's wrong?" "Wan daddy!" the infant demanded. "Okay I'll go find him." She got back up on the chair. "Yes?" "When can Mr Houlihan come in?" "I don't know...I have to find him...Elizabeth wants him." She said loudly over the 3 year olds screaming and crying. "Are you home alone?" he asked as she hung up. "Let's go find daddy."
The two walked across the base alone...it was spring and the place was covered in small, white flowers. Elizabeth was still crying and her sister was becoming anxious. Their mother had abandoned them yet again and their daddy was too busy to care. Walking into the main office she peaked her head over the desk to see Sergeant Hortenski at the desk. "Have you seen my daddy?" she asked him. He saw her and then the baby crying. "No I haven't. Where's your mom?" he asked getting up and coming round. "She's in the slammer." She knew her father had said not to tell anyone anything...but she didn't care...he wasn't there today. "Oh" was all the young man said. He picked up the sniffling baby. "She'd got a cold. I gave her water." "What did you have for lunch Miss Houlihan?" he asked the baby, who had stopped crying. "Hungy." She hadn't eaten. "You're hungry eh? How about some crackers?" he asked. The baby nodded and he got up with her. "You hungry too?" he asked her. "No, I'm fine." She said.
Because it was fathers' day at school...everyone had brought a big lunch. She was given food by other fathers' who felt sorry she was alone.
"How about we go find your dad then?" he then asked the older girl. She shook her head as the baby ate the crackers. She didn't want to see her father. She was angry with him...really angry. "Well then...how about you two stay with me until your dad finishes okay?" he asked. The two nodded in reply as he started..."Tell me what happened at school Margaret."