It seemed like hours, but finally Momma came
in to get me. I looked behind her, anticipating Daddy
too. Maybe, somehow they had worked out their
differences and they were going to give our family
another chance. Maybe Daddy had said some magical things and they had both thought about their early days together when they were so much in love. I
waited for the words; I prayed for them.
"I bet you're famished," Momma said. "I know
I am."
"Is Daddy going to eat with us?" I asked
hopefully.
"No, it's just like old times," she said dryly.
"He's off to his shipyards."
"Off? Did he leave?" 1 cried. Oh, surely, he
didn't leave without saying goodbye, without giving
me a last kiss.
"Yes, he's gone. Let's go to dinner." She turned
away.
But he can't be gone, my brain screamed. Not
without saying goodbye. I hurried out behind her, but
instead of going straight to the dining room, I went to
his office.
The door was closed and when I opened it, I
looked into a dark room. Momma waited in the
hallway. I spun around, the tears streaming down my
face.
"Where is he?"
"I told you, Leigh. He left."
"But he didn't . . he didn't kiss me goodbye," I
bawled.
"He wasn't in the mood to kiss anyone. Now