KRISTINA'S POV:

The bruises on my arms were forming already and I pulled at my sleeves to make sure all of them were hidden before I walked into my house. I tried to sneak quietly upstairs, but my mother appeared from the door of her study and asked me how my dad was. I replied "Fine Mom, but I have a lot of homework." I almost made it towards the stairs when she said that there was a letter from my father that was awaiting me upstairs. I let out a groan and I trudged upstairs wondering what my maniac of a father wanted now.

For a long time, I have known that my father didn't acknowledge me. He sent me a cards on my birthday that ended only with a From Dad and when I bumped into him in town, he said a quick hello and then left. During the time between my brother Michael got shot and until he woke up, I seemed to disappear from my dad's life, not even receiving that birthday card that I wished for every birthday just so I knew that my father knew I existed.

From the first day of my life, I knew that my mother wanted to keep me safe and or a long time, my father didn't even know I existed. After he finally found out I was his most prized "possession" for awhile until I eventually just faded into the background of his life. I was jealous of my two brothers because their mom let them see our father every weekend, every holiday and they would nights over Christmas break and the summer. He was always there for their first day of school and the first time that they had to go to the doctors. I went with my mother to the doctor, and she took the pictures on the first day of school. We had the sleepovers in her bed during Christmas break and over the summer, she watched me swim in the pool, trying to perfect my dive.

I walked into my bedroom and saw the letter there, sitting on my bed. I went right to my desk and tried to concentrate on my homework, but the letter was in the front of my mind, blocking homework out of the way. I picked up the letter and tore it open carefully before I read what was on the paper.

Dear Kristina,

I heard that you made Honor Society once again at school and I was happy to hear about it. Your mother was thrilled when she called and I decided that I needed to send a gift for your accomplishment. Enclosed, you will find a charge card with $500.00 on it just for you and I advise you to spend it wisely. I have not heard from you in a while and I miss you. Remember that you are always welcome and I hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

Dad

Well, that was my father for you. He'd send a gift in replace of himself and try to buy you over except with my brothers. I read the note over again and it stung me when I realized that he not written Love Dad at all. I picked up the charge card in my hand and realized that the name on it was Kristina Adela Davis. The tears fell from my eyes, realizing that my father didn't seem to realize that I was his daughter and not just another person that vanished from is life.