I glanced once more at what had been my father’s small home office for as long as I could remember. It was dead silent and everything was still in order. My father had always been the most orderly man I knew. I walked to his desk pulled back the chair and sat. Right in front of me was a framed picture, a picture of him

Maxwell, people always referred to him as Max

, my Mother

Alice

and myself

Hannah

, he always referred to us as the tri-family. Seeing his smile made me wonder whether he was still thinking about us, wherever he was. He had been missing for 3 days and no one, not even the police could find him.

The circumstances in which he disappeared were mysterious at least that’s what my Mother’s Boss Benjamin said. Everyone told their story even those that hardly knew him. They all talked about him as if he was some of kind of runaway.

I knew at the back of my mind that my Father was no runaway. He was the closest person I had, the only person who knew all my secrets

even the darkest ones

and he would never abandon his family.

My Mother was the ever smiling kind of woman, she never complained about anything, she was always kind even when she didn’t have to be. She had been working tirelessly to complement my Father and take care of the bills. They were literally the best couple I knew. I couldn’t wait to turn 24 to get married and have the same kind of love they shared.

After the disappearance of my Father my Mother’s smile faded away, she didn’t go to work and she didn’t get off her bed. The house I had always known to be my safe haven had turned into a cold, silent and lifeless space. I had always been the child but at that time I had to step up and be the adult. It was the least I could do for her.

I held the picture close to my heart and closed my eyes. If anyone could find my Father, it was me. I opened the drawer and took out a pen, on the table was a notebook, I tore off a page. I wrote down all the places I would think of, places that my Father loved visiting. I knew I wouldn’t find him there but I had to try.

I folded the piece of paper, stuck it in my jeans and left the office. “hang on Father, I’ll find you” I thought to myself.

I ran to the kitchen and quickly prepared some soup. Slowly I opened the door to my Mothers bedroom. I let myself in but she wasn’t in bed, she was seated at a chair placed adjacent to the window with her head leaning back. The sun was directly heating her face. I walked to where she was, making sure I didn’t disrupt her. Her long hair fell back, it was all entangled. Her face looked pale. On every eye was a tear dropping. It was difficult watching her in such pain, it had only been three days and she had really changed, I knew she was not going to take it any longer.

I held her shoulder from behind, “Mother”

She quickly sat up, wiped her eyes and turned to look at me.

“Good morning baby?”

“Good morning Mother, I brought you some soup, just the way you like it”

She forced out a smile and helped me place the bowl of soup on a small table beside the bed. I kissed her cheek and whispered “ I love you Mother”

She looked at me and let out even a broader smile. One that showed how much she loved me. I signaled her to sit back on the chair. I got a comb from the room and helped comb her long, silk hair. It was the only way I would keep her from looking into my eyes because then I would cry and it would tear her into pieces.

She always said that I had a very estranged heart, one that never broke and that I was the strongest girl she knew. Sometimes I thought she was right but in that moment I felt weak and broken.

I put the comb away and held her hand “I am heading out but I’ll be back before you know it”

She nodded in agreement and gave me a pat on the shoulder. I packed a few things, left the room and headed out determined to find my Father.