A dead-beat dad abandons his wife and children . Make me sympathize with him .

-036 
 
 Life is a series of moments. Mark knew it. He accepted it. He stared at the handset and closed his eyes. He could hear the little voice without holding it up to his ear. It was tiny and distant and filled with much sorrow. His bottom lip quivered while he tried to manage his emotions. He raised it to his ear and took a deep breath. 
 
 ``... to me.'' She bawled. His hand shook. `` Daaaaddy!'' The wail cut like a knife. He saw her face -- her big baby brown eyes, the freckles across the bridge of her nose, the little pink bow that was her lips, and he chubby little cheeks. `` Daaaddy! Please talk to me.'' He felt the catch in his throat and he listened to her sob and call out to him. `` Do n't go. Please. I miss you, Daddy.'' 
 
 `` Hi... Hi, pumpkin.'' He croaked into the handset, trying to keep his voice calm. 
 
 `` Daddy! Oh my god, Daddy. Please come home. I'll be good. I will. I promise. I'll do anything...'' He listened to her huff and hyperventilate into the phone. `` Daddy?'' She asked in a small voice filled with insecurity. `` Please come home.'' 
 
 He was n't there anymore. He was in a small white room filled with beeping equipment and listening to a clean troubled man delivery the test results. *Too soon. * He wanted more time with her. `` Daddy's...'' 
 
 `` Daaaaddy. Do n't leave me. I'm sorry. I'll be good. Just please come home. Daddy?'' 
 
 `` Okay, pumpkin.'' She was still sobbing. 
 
 `` I sorry.'' She repeated over and over. 
 
 `` Baby. You did n't do anything wrong. I'm coming h -- home.'' His voice trembled. `` Okay?'' 
 
 `` Okay, Daddy. I will be good. You'll see.'' She promised. 
 
 `` I know, honey. Can you put mommy on?'' He asked softly. 
 
 `` Um-hmm.'' There was the sound of banging and mumbled talk, but a moment later he found himself talking to his wife again. 
 
 `` I love you.'' He said. `` I'm coming home.'' She was crying too, but there was a distance and coldness to her voice. 
 
 ``... okay.'' She whispered, hanging up the phone. He listened to the empty air for several moments and hung up the phone. *To soon. * 
 
 He closed his eyes and jerked the wheel across the centerline. He felt the impact and then nothing ever again.
