Papa

Daddy sits outside across the road and he looks worried.

And he should be,

As I ease into a vehicle that has no working brakes.

And we’ve got to get this vehicle home.

I pause at the understanding—

At my father who won’t let me drive off without him trailing close by

In case I need him.

I forgot what it’s like to be followed, covered, cared for in this way.

In that moment, my shoulders sagged because I wasn’t alone in the world,

As most eldest daughters feel.

I was standing in the broad, tall, warm shadow of a man who’d been there since day one.

And my heart rate finally slowed.