[ WP ] A parent explaining to their child that the other parent has died .

The Grandfather clock in the foyer clanged seven times; the sound of it made me sick to my stomach. How could I face life without him? He was gone just like that. No warnings. No goodbyes. No last words. One phone call and my life was shattered. It seemed just like yesterday that he was smiling at me, holding my hands and saying, `` I do.'' He was always happy, always smiling. Just this morning he had been... been with me. I guess it had been the same as any other morning, a quick kiss goodbye and the same sentence he always told me before leaving: `` Ca n't wait to see you tonight, Babe.'' 
 
 `` Mommy, where's Daddy?'' Jamie's sweet innocent voice brought me back to reality. 
 
 `` Why is n't Daddy home for dinner yet? He always gets home at 5:30 so he can read to me before dinner.'' She was all smiles, her blonde curls bouncing up and down as she hopped around impatiently. 
 
 How could I tell her that her father was never coming home again? That she would never hear his voice again, never hear his laugh, or feel his kisses on her forehead. 
 
 `` Mommy.... what's wrong? Why are you crying?'' 
 
 She was only seven, how could she understand? How could I tell her? 
 
 `` Jamie, sweetie,'' I began, `` Daddy had an accident today.'' 
 
 Her face went blank. 
 
 `` It was n't his fault...'' It was n't his fault, I thought to myself as I began to tremble. That stupid, reckless, irresponsible, good-for-nothing, failure of teenager. Jamie did n't need to hear my anger. She needed my love. 
 
 `` Mommy,'' a small tear rolled down Jamie's cheek. 
 
 I scooped her up and sat down in the nearest chair. I held her closely to my heart. Held her tightly. 
 
 `` Jamie, baby.'' I started over. `` Daddy's in a better place now, one where he'll be happy, he'll be safe, he'll never be sad again,'' the words started to pour out now, `` He'll be looking down on us. Watching over us.'' The words were as much to calm me as they were to calm her. 
 
 We sat there motionless for a long time. I never wanted to let go, ever. 
 
 
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ EDIT: Spacing. 
 
 Thanks for the Reddit Gold friend!: )
