She found her Mom in the study with her head down and her eyes fixed on the rectangular screen of her laptop before her. Kim tried to make small talk with her, and Terri asked what she had bought with trying to sound mildly interested, but it was clear to Kim she didn't care what she had been up to. Kim ignored this and went through each new item of designer clothing she had purchased giving descriptions for each one, and of course the different occasions she intended to wear them to, and the accessories which would compliment them. Terri nodded her head every few minutes, obviously uninterested, so Kim tried harder to engage her in conversation, asking what she was working on and other open questions. Terri had finally snapped when she had innocently asked where her father was.
"I don't know where he is Kim can't you see I'm busy?"
Kim couldn't help but feel hurt at her mom's harsh words, so she stormed off in search of her dad, he wouldn't treat her this way she mused sulkily. After a quick search around the house she found him in the back yard sat on the steps gently rocking back and forth in the nights breeze. She walked down the steps one by one, the noise from her heels informing him that she was coming.
He turned his head to the side to face her as she sat down next to him.
"Hey." She greeted.
"Hey sweetheart." He replied, his voice soft.
She couldn't help but notice his eyes, he had been crying. This worried her as she had never seen him cry, something must be wrong.
"Are you okay?" She asked quietly.
"Yeah I'm fine, how about you, did you manage to empty the entire balance from my credit card this shopping trip?" He tried to add some humour so he could change the subject - he wasn't okay, but he couldn't let her know that.
Kim started giggling as she grabbed his hand and attempted to explain herself for spending his money. Jack just laughed at her excuses whilst he savoured the contact with her, Terri wouldn't hold his hand, she wouldn't come near him.
After a while the conversation between the two died down so Kim asked him where he had been today. Jack sighed as he took a deep breath, he thought that maybe if he spoke the words aloud it would make it easier to handle.
"I was at a funeral, just a co-workers thought..." He lied.
"I'm sorry daddy." She said as she snuggled up to him. "But everyone has to go some time don't they?" She asked, and Jack couldn't help but feel his heart go out with how innocent she sounded.
"Yeah, but sometimes people have to go when its not their time." He replied sadly.
"Like Janet." Kim whispered. "It wasn't her time, but she's still gone."
Jack tuned and looked at her, his eyes full of guilt. "I'm sorry honey. If it wasn't for my-"
"Dad don't." Kim snapped, before continuing in a soft tone. "Nobody is responsible for Janet's death, it just happens, that doesn't mean we have to accept it, we just have to live with it." She spoke calmly and strongly whilst never breaking eye contact with him.
Jack was the first to look away and he laughed slightly. "Aren't I supposed to give you the advice?"
Kim laughed before the two fell into a long comfortable silence, just happy to be in each others presence. Jack still held her hand, he didn't want to let go, he didn't want to be alone.