Prologue

 

I sprinted home. Finally, the school year has ended, and we are on vacation. Yay! 

I am hoping that Dad will come out of his room today. Mom says we have to be extra happy around him so that he doesn't feel sad again. Dad feels sad a lot these days. But I think he will be happy when I tell him about my new idea. He loves it when I tell him about my school. Hmm.. I should also tell him about the new school pet rabbit. 

 

As soon as I stepped inside our home, I shouted, “Dad!”.

Mom is at work. I called out to him once more, but nothing. I felt a chill come over me. The atmosphere in the house was gloomy, as if something terrible was going to happen. Shaking off the unease, I sprinted toward my parents’ room and flung open the door.

 

“Dad!” I cried, rushing to his motionless form sprawled on the floor. I tried shaking him, but he did not move. He was lying on the ground with his mouth open and foam oozing from it. I tried to shake him, but he lay there lifeless, with no soul visible in his eyes. What... what is happening?

 

As tears ran down my face, I trembled as I reached for my phone and dialed my mom’s number. 

“Amy?” My mother’s voice made me sob even harder. “Amy, what is wrong, Mija?” 

 

“M.. Mom! D-dad isn’t waking up. He... he... I’m trying. He isn’t waking up,” I sobbed. "Mom..."

 

My mother exhaled sharply and responded, “Stay with him. I’ll be home in 10 minutes. Call 911”

 

“Please hurry,” I pleaded, my voice breaking. With shaking hands, I dialed 911 and gave them our address. I tried to give my father chest compressions as they recommended. I knew he wasn’t breathing, but I could not give up. Maybe, just maybe, Dad would wake up. Please, Dad, please.

 

Soon, a police officer and two paramedics rushed into the house. The police officer instructed me to wait in another room, but my pleading eyes softened his firmness, allowing me to stay. They had been trying to revive him when my mother rushed in and realized what was happening. Her eyes filled with dread.

 

In a heart-wrenching moment, the paramedics closed my father’s lifeless eyes. My mother crumpled to the floor, sobbing, and I clung to her tightly, hoping for a miracle. She screamed in agony, clutching her chest, “No. No. No. Oh my God, no. Why? What have you done? What have you done?”

 

The officer kneeled, looking dejected, and said, “Ma'am, we are so sorry for your loss...”

 

I couldn't understand what he was saying anymore. He was talking to my mom. I could see his lips moving, but my mind couldn’t absorb his words. I was paralyzed as my eyes remained fixed on the dad. He was gone. My dad was gone. He left us.

 

We lost him.