The day my Dad and my new Mom came home from their honeymoon.

I was sad.

The babysitter had told my parents that I was sick.

I am unsure if I really was sick. But I know that I felt sad.

I was crying.

My new Mom sat down next to me as Dad looked on.

“Oh, sweetie!”

She brushed my hair away from my face.

“You’re burning up!”

“I’m not sick! I’m sad”, I said, defiantly.

Though she sat with me I cried to myself.

She looked at Dad. Standing behind her leaning against the door frame, he seemed unconcerned.

She looked back at me. She seemed concerned.

“Oh! Did you miss us? Is that why you’re sad?”

It wasn’t.

But I didn’t know why I was sad.

I was missing something that made me feel sad but I could not remember what it was.

I looked up and nodded. “Uh huh.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

She wrapped me up in her arms and hugged me. I could see in plain view now, my dad standing there, still watching, still apathetic.

She looked back at him and his face instantly changed to a soft smile, an expression validating her concern washing over his face.

They both hugged me.

And it felt wonderful, even if it wasn’t what I wanted.