I do not own any of the Transformers characters. They all belong to their own creators.

What would a father do to keep his daughter safe? Would he give up all parental rights even knowing he may never see her again? Even if she hates him for it a fathers love looks beyond that to see the alternative is far worse.

Kari Asher

I have a wonderful life. I am a 16 years old girl. I have long reddish brown hair with deep brown eyes. I am rather short too sad to say. I am also too skinny. You would think with all the junk food I eat I would not be so painfully thin but no matter how much sugary junk food I eat I stay at my same weight. You may think that is nice but I wish I was not so flat. I see the girls with curves and wish I could have at least one.

My mother died when I was very young so even though she is dead I do not remember her very well. I think most of my memories are from my father's stories and pictures rather then from actually remembering my mom. It is hard to miss what you never had.

I do have an awesome aunt and uncle that I adore. They have 2 little girls Cassie, who is 5 and Brenna who is 6.

Most importantly though I have my dad. My dad is awesome. He is gone a lot working and is often busy with work while he is home but if I ever need to talk to him he will not hesitate to stop his work to either talk. Even while he is at work if I call him even if he can't answer the phone I know as soon as he is able he will call me back and be happy to talk to me.

I am not sure exactly what my father does for a living. It is something with the government and he is paid very well for it. He spoils me a lot. I can get whatever I want simply by giving that puppy dog look and begging. Sometimes it takes a few times but he eventually gives in with a smile. I am pretty sure it is to make up for not being able to be around as much as he wants.

I would love to say that I never take advantage of that but honestly I am 16 so of course I do.

I rarely eat anything healthy. My dad gave up years ago and lets me get whatever I want. He either hands me the credit card or cash and I go and buy my treats. There is nothing better then a large fry and a few raspberry donuts for dinner washed down by a pop or milk shake.

I am one of the few teenagers in this world who can smile and say life is great.

Lately though my father has been very strange. He stares at me like he is trying to memorize how I look. One day I thought he looked like he was going to cry.

"What is wrong, Dad?" I asked him with genuine alarm.

"Nothing sweetheart," he answered softly.

That was both strange and frightening. Then my father starts in with telling me some of his funny stories that always make me laugh. Once again he got that look like he was trying to memorize the moment so he would never forget.

It is Monday and there is only 20 minutes of school left. I sit there bored as ever waiting. We are suppose to get all our work done during this last bit of school but I have is some reading and I prefer to read with a cold pop and a box of jelly donuts. Yes I eat the entire box! As I was lost in my thoughts of reading and donuts when the bell finally rings. Freedom at last. I walk out the door into the noisy hallway.

"Kari,…Kari!" I turn at the sound of a familiar voice calling my name.

"Hey Ash," I chirp as my forever happy best friend bounces over.

"Hey girl, would you like to grab some food and come over?"

With a look of genuine regret I answer "Ahhh…. Sorry I really can't today, but do you need a ride home?"

"Sure," she says with her cheerful smile.

Climbing into my blue sedan we both snap our seat belts and head off toward Ashley's home. We have the radio up loud enough that Ashley almost has to shout her story about Jimmy running out of his shorts in PE.

Laughing while I wiped the tears from my eyes I felt the vibration of my phone signaling a text message. Flipping the phone open I glance at the message, and then hand my phone to Ashley." Would you tell Sara I will call her later please?"

"Sure," She giggled still amused over the story she was telling.

Right as she is snapping the phone closed we pull into the driveway of her brick ranch style home.

"Sure you can't stay?" She pleaded with her lower lip hanging out.

"Sorry I really have this reading that has to get read tonight," I apologized.

"OK then, she sighed dramatically as she opened the car door. "Call me later, K."

"Ok," I answered pretending not to notice her using my begging techniques against me.

20 minutes later I was pulling into my own driveway. Sighing I pick up my book and head up the front stairs to our 2 story home. I slip the key into the lock only to feel the door easily slip open. Quietly I step into our front entry and look around. I see the day's mail sitting on the small oak desk my father set there to sort mail.

"Dad must be home." I thought to myself.

I walk into the kitchen going straight to the black double door refrigerator. Opening the doors I immediately find a 22 oz bottle of pop and a few chocolate puddings.

As I headed to the living room I pass my fathers home work office. I hear him speaking and he sounds almost heartbroken. "She is not going to handle any of this at all well. I will not be able to go through with it if I am in the building when this all happens. Once she is told what is happening I am afraid the cheerful person I have always known will disappear. I just cannot stand to see that happen." Silence as I assume someone is talking on the other end of the phone.

I take that moment to tap on the door. "I'm home daddy."

My dads head snaps up as he stammers on the phone ho, hold on while I speak to my daughter a moment.

"What do you need sweetheart?" He asked in a tired voice.

"Nothing dad, I am just letting you know I am home and I am going to watch TV and have my snack." I said as I held up my pudding and pop.

"Very good dear."

Creasing my brow I asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh.. Um.. We just have a situation at work and we are discussing how we can manage this in the best way possible.

Eyes glazing over I mumble, "Ahhh have fun."

My dad looked up at me with the saddest expression on his I have ever seen as he said, "No sweetie it is the hardest thing I have ever done."

"I am sorry, dad," I replied with regret in my tone of voice, then moved on down the wide hallway.

I paused as I heard my father in a low tone of voice continue," Ok I am back. Yes I want parental rights terminated. No, No, No you see I can't stand the begging and I would give in any other way. I can not have any authority over this once everything has been done."

"Wow, that sounds pretty bad." I was never sure who my father worked for but I knew it was for the government. I never knew he had the power to strip parents of their rights to their children.

Sitting in the large Lazy Boy rocker with the foot rest kicked out I finished my 4th pudding and prepared to open my pop. I was flipping through the endless channels with nothing on I sighing I tossed the remote aside I left the station on whatever movie was playing.

Not really paying much attention my hearing focuses on my fathers footsteps on the hard wooden floors. He made his way into the living room. His footsteps muffled as he stepped on the area rug in the center of the room. He made his way to the highback lounge chair that sat next to brick mantle of the fireplace in our living room. I glanced up at him and for the first time I noticed the look in his face and the set of his shoulders. He looked worn out and sad. He rested his chin in his fist while he just stared at me.

"What's up dad?" For a few more seconds he continued to stare at me with an expression that scarred me.

Finally in a voice so low I can barely hear him he says," there are some big changes coming. I do not want you to be frightened but things may move very fast."

"OK" I told him in a very confused tone of voice. "There is a good chance we will be moving, soon." He told me in almost a whisper.

"Where?" I asked hoping it was still in Oklahoma City.

"I am not even sure; it would be a company decision."

"Oh" I whispered back sadly. My mind had started racing about all my friends I would leave behind when my father interrupted my thoughts.

"In the meantime your Uncle Travis wants to see you." My father informed me while he wiped a tired hand over his dark brown short hair.

My mood brightened instantly. "Uncle Travis!" I exclaimed excitedly. I adored my Uncle Travis.

"I am going to book you air fare out there this evening." he said as he yawned.

"Oh please daddy I want to drive!" I pleaded.

Taking a deep breath he stared intently at me for what seemed like forever. Finally he said, "It is a 4 hour drive to Amarillo. I would feel better if you flew."

"Oh come on dad it is a straight shot with plenty of places to stop." I pleaded desperately. "It is not like I have not driven for four hours around here before. Oklahoma City is not exactly Mayberry as far as driving goes daddy," I informed him trying to sound logical.

Closing his eyes he finally looked back up at me and said," On the one condition you promise to call me at every rest stop, and you will not even look at your cell phone while driving.

" Breathing fast with excitement I nodded my head rapidly. " Yes, yes, yes of course daddy!" I promised.

"Fine then, you will have to leave Thursday after lunch so you can be there by Saturday at the latest. You MUST be there by Saturday; do you understand me?" he said as he stared intently into my eyes.

"Yes dad, if I leave Thursday I should be there Thursday night. I told him with a confused tone to my voice.

"Yes well I want you to take your time. I would prefer that you stop before dinner that evening. I will look up your route on the internet and make all the reservations. I will find an area that you can have what ever you want for dinner as well."

"Daddy" I said with a raised brow, "I always have what I want for dinner. Most times I have jelly donuts or some other brand of junk food" I said laughing.

My father cringed as I laughed.

Clapping my hands excitedly I picked up my phone and hit my best friend, Ashley's name. "Ash, guess what? I have awesome news but it comes with some sad news too. "

Thursday finally came and I spent the first half of the day making sure I had everything I would need for my little visit. I added a couple of stuffed toys for my two cousins.

My father helped me load my bags in the car as I prepared to head out that afternoon.

Several time I caught him breathing in such a way that made it seem he was barely holding himself together.

"Oh dad please have some confidence in my driving!" I scolded him assuming he was worried about my driving just a couple of hours to a hotel he had reserved for me.

"Oh I do sweetheart, this is just very hard on me. I am having second thought but I know I have to let you go." My dad barely got that statement out choking on a breath.

"Oh dad, I will be fine. I promise to call." As I wrapped my arms around my dad he held me like a man that was drowning. He was actually shaking and I swore I heard a sob. Pulling back and looking him in the face I saw no trace of tears but there was sadness and worry.

"Your lack of confidence in me is very discouraging, dad." I told him with a slightly amused tone of voice.

My dad gave a short laugh as he said, "I love you so much, please no matter what always remember how much I love you."

"Of course," I replied shocked that he would even say such a thing to me.

I reached in the car and started the engine allowing the engine to idle for several moments before climbing in the driver's seat.

My father stood with his hands on the driver's door waiting for me to settle and click the seat belt before closing the door for me.

I put the car in reverse and slowly backed out of our driveway. My father stood there staring after me with an expression filled with sorrow and worry. I looked behind me to make sure the street was clear then looked forward to make sure I cleared the brick post that held our mailbox. As I looked forward I caught another glimpse of my fathers face. I could not believe he was crying! My father was crying because I was driving to my Uncle's house by myself.

Shaking my head with a mixture of amusement and annoyance I spoke my thoughts out loud, "Good grief I am driving to Travis's house for the weekend. You would think I was leaving forever the way he is carrying on.