8 Years a Slave

After years and years of pretending like I stopped caring

He called me.

He called me from prison.

My daddy.

I was speechless as I listened to his voice

He immediately apologized for leaving me

I forgave him.

I never thought I would forgive him as easily as I did,

But I was tired of being angry and hurt

I just wanted my daddy.

He told me that just because he was never there

Doesn't mean he never thought of me.

As soon as those words escaped his lips,

I fell apart.

I could no longer see the phone in my hands

His words were muffled as he kept apologizing,

Repeating the words "I know" over and over.

I was no longer the heartless monster I assumed to be

I was the little girl desperate for her daddy's love and attention.

My daddy calls me every now and then when he can

I look forward to his calls

I love him so much and now I know he loves me too.

My daddy says I can tell him anything

If I ever just need someone to talk to, I can lean on him

I think he's just trying to make up for lost time,

But I am too.

18 years without him has really fucked me up.

He says he wants to meet my children one day

He wants to attend my wedding

He wants an opportunity to be the father he never was.

8 years a slave to his silence;

I am finally free.