Imminence

Emily slipped into the kitchen through the back door, leaving her mother and sister behind in the backyard. From his vantage point in the living room, she looked like she’d grown since he last saw her, though only a month had passed.

“Baby girl.”

“Daddy!” Blond pigtails bouncing, she ran up to him and gave him the biggest hug her little arms could.

“My sweet Emily, I missed you very much.”

“I’m so glad you’re back,” she said and yawned.

“Shh, how about we keep this our little secret, huh?” His gaze fixed on the back door. “Do you want to go on a trip with me?”

“Oooh, to Disney World? I’ve always wanted to go there.”

He tousled her hair playfully. “I’m afraid not, sweetie. Maybe someday we will.”

“Where are we going? Is Mommy and Sissy coming?”

He got up and peered out the back door window. His wife played with their eldest daughter, pushing her high on the swing. She was at an age where play days were becoming more and more rare. He recalled her last birthday request—to get a purse like her mother’s—and the memory was so bittersweet he almost reconsidered his plan. A single tear rolled down his cheek, as he thought about all the milestones he would miss in her life.

“Let’s get you all packed up, shall we?” He smiled at the little girl, who cheered and jumped up and down.

“I’m going on a trip,” she sang, as she skipped to her bedroom. “What should I bring?”

He found a small suitcase in the closet and started emptying the contents of her drawers in it.

“Oh, can I bring my stuffed animals?” Emily ensconced herself in a sea of fluffy toys.

“Only a few, baby. Your favorite ones.”

He zipped up the suitcase and grabbed it in one hand, and Emily’s hand in the other. He let out an exhale of relief.

Emily rubbed her eyes. “Need to give Mommy a kiss goodbye.”

“I’m sorry, there’s no time for that, my little love.”

With her arms full of toys, Emily trotted out of the room and toward the front door.

“Em, what’s going on?” her sister asked. “Mom was worried, you were taking so long to get a drink.”

Their father stepped out into view. “Lauren.”

“Wh-what are you doing here? Mom said—”

“Couldn’t stay away. I missed you both too much.” He embraced his eldest daughter. She appeared to faint in his arms.

“You can come with us!” Emily said, dropping her toys and clapping her hands together. Then she noticed her sister’s head slumped forward against her father’s shoulder.

“Are you okay, Sissy?”

Her father hesitated, unsure of what to do. He lifted Lauren up, cradling her in his arms. “If you can just hold on, a little longer…”

“Daddy, what’s wrong with her? Is she sick?”

The tears flowed freely from his eyes now, as he placed her gently down on the couch. “Go to my car, Emily.”

“But what about Sissy, is she…”

The back door opened, and her mother gasped. She ran over to Lauren on the couch. “What did you do?”

The question, directed at her husband, came out more like an accusation. She took in the whole scene and glared at him. “Get out of this house.”

He stood in front of Emily. “I’m not leaving without her.”

“Daddy?” Emily looked up at her father, and then her mother.

“Go to your room, Emily,” her mother said, in a calm voice. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

“But Daddy said we’re going on a trip—”