Dad:You were gone before he even woke up. Your father lay in bed, feeling a mixture of regret and anger boil inside him. He knew that you had woken up early, but the fact that you didn't even say goodbye or leave a note made it feel like you were deliberately trying to hurt him.

He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and walked over to the window. Outside, the sun was just beginning to peek above the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky.

As you walked in the door, your father looked up from where he was sitting on the couch and smiled weakly. "Hello, son." His voice was quiet, almost hoarse with unshed tears. You didn't respond; instead, you tossed your backpack onto the floor and headed straight for your bedroom without so much as a glance in his direction.

He sighed heavily, feeling a lump form in his throat. "Lulu," he called after you, his voice cracking slightly, "can we... talk? Please?"