Goodnight Kisses

There are few relationships as sweet as that of father and daughter. As hard as times may be, at least Em knew her father would get them through. He had lost his job last month, the factory he worked for making up some lie about him being violent towards a coworker. Em knew it wasn't true. He was a teddy bear of a man if you bothered to look behind his tough exterior. He was gentle, the kind of guy who would help little old ladies cross the street for no other reason than to be kind.

Of course, Em was surprised when she followed him to the basement one night to find those same ladies piled on the floor, their snow white hair matted with something sticky and red.

"What are they doing, daddy?"

"Sleeping, baby. It's bedtime."

"Ok, daddy. Will you come give me a goodnight kiss?"

"Always."