"Daddy?" She whispered, her voice frail and broken as she stretched her tiny fingers out to the man's silhouette who was standing at the door. She could see that in one hand he had a briefcase, and by his form, she could tell he had on a large coat. The last time he looked like this, he was gone for a year. He had actually returned just a week ago. Seeing him like this again scared her. "Daddy is that you?" She rubbed her hazel eye, with her pro offered hand, as he dropped the bag to the floor and approached her slowly. He always walked slow, and that's why she loved him, he never rushed to leave her. He crouched down, taking his daughters fleshy cheeks in his hands and kissed her forehead. He didn't mean to wake her, he just wanted to see her before he left, he had even prepared a note.
"Yeah, baby." He whispered, his voice dripping with a sort of southern charm."Daddy's still home." He just observed her, tilting his head. She closed her eyes and a yawn slipped from her soft lips while he dragged his callous fingers through her wispy auburn hair.
"Good." She smiled, her eyes still closed. She looked peaceful, and ready to sleep again.
"But not for long, baby." He said even softer than before. "Daddy's got some business to take care of first, okay?" He looked at his strong five-year old daughter as her eyes reopened. He imagined her crying and begging for him to stay, but she just nodded her little head and pursed her lips.
"When will you be back?" She yawned again, and he chuckled a little bit.
"I'm not sure honey, but I will be. Don't you worry." He kissed her one last time, right on the cheek. His hands slid off her face, and once again her cubby fingers outstretched towards him. She managed to grab one of his fingers, and in the hastiness she couldn't tell which one. He paused for a moment, and was tempted to look back at her, tempted to embrace her, tempted to read her a bedtime story, tempted to stay with her. But he had a job to do. He pulled away from her hand, he could feel her struggle to stay connected to his touch, and he didn't want to say it, but he was sure he could hear fragile heart break a little bit, as he took his last step out of her room, and closed the door behind him.
