Daddy

"I love you," he always says, and he certainly thinks he means it.

No, you can't go. No, you'll be scared. Stop crying, the movie I like wasn't scary. Stop gushing over what you're proud of and eat your microwaved carrots. Stop caring about stories; they aren't real. WHAT'S WRONG? If nothing's wrong, don't talk so loud. Don't laugh so loud. Don't sneeze or cough loud, or someone will think you're in trouble. Oh, FINE. I'm not going to talk to you anymore.

And repeat.

You force a smile, thinking, Maybe I'll love you when you forget who I am.