Patricia

“We haven’t spent 24 hours here, and I’ve had so much fun. Ray, you and your dad might have to travel back without me.” I say dropping on the bed.

“Too bad Daddy is going to leave without us. I’m going to miss my friends in Manhattan. Especially Daisy.” She says, faking tears.

“We can send her letters." I respond playing along.

“Or I can call her.”

"True, that skipped my mind.”

“Don’t go, please," she says, coming to sit close to me.

“Me?” I ask, shocked by how quickly the conversation changed.

“Yes.”

“I was joking when I said I wasn't going back with you to New York.”

“I know, but that's not what I'm talking about. I heard Daddy tell Mr. Tony that the search for a new replacement is becoming more tedious than he expected. Do I give you troubles, Aunt Patricia?” she asks.

"No, baby, why?”

“I don’t know. My mom left, Mrs. Charity did too, and now you want to go too. Everybody leaves me except Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma.”

“Baby, come here. I’m not leaving because you are bad or anything