Please, don’t cry. I have to leave - you know I have to.
I’m really tired. Please, let me go this time.
You’ll see me again. You will. It’s late, and I’ve got to go. I’m so sorry.
All right, I’ll talk for a while. If it helps. But then I’m going. No, no - don’t be upset. No more tears. There.
Remember when we first met? How you’ve changed me. All the things I’ve learned. Everything you’ve taught me. It seems like forever, but it’s not that long, really. My whole life has changed since I first met you.
I thought I was an adult, before; but you showed me I was a selfish little boy, and that I had to grow up. You arrived, and set me on a new path.
I used to party pretty hard. That’s all in the past now, though - you forced me to stop that right away. I liked to drink, and worse, sometimes. In my heart I know you’ve saved me from a hard road, and it’s difficult for me to admit that even now. It didn’t matter what I drank, but I loved it. But you taught me that there are more important things in life, and they were passing by me, without me even noticing. No more. Each day holds a new lesson. Each day you teach me.
You imposed change immediately. A new way of looking at things. What a shock that was - I couldn’t believe it! I wouldn’t have thought I could cope with your regime, but I did. It was tough, but I managed. I adapted. I learned.
God, when I think back. There were times I began to question my sanity; you pushed me so hard. How exhausted can one person be and still function? How many nights would you make sure I couldn’t sleep? How you screamed at me, until I thought I would explode with rage. But that was another lesson - I couldn’t afford to lose it. You made sure of that. How could I let my temper run wild with you in the room, watching me? I would have failed you, then, as soon as I gave in and punched a wall with frustration. But how I wanted to, at times!
You were indifferent. You just looked at me and smiled. I was amazed by you, when you smiled. Minutes ago, screaming in rage; and now smiling at me – I had passed a test I hadn’t even known I was sitting. Lesson learned, again.
You were hard work, then. But it was rewarding. You were around all the time, and I learned to cope with your challenges. You came with me everywhere, and I followed your lead wherever we went. I’m sure you created situations deliberately, in public, to see how far you could push me. How I would react. The longer I knew you, the easier it got. I actually got to the stage where I could see when you were about to test me, and divert it. You can’t imagine how pleased that made me!
It’s getting really late. It seems like there’s only you and me in the world, with the wind outside your window and rain against the glass. I know I moan about it, but I don’t mind being tired, if I’m honest. Because I love to talk to you like this. You don’t know it, but one of the things I’ve learned is that if I talk quietly to you, in the dark, it soothes you. My voice will lull you to sleep. It doesn’t matter what I say - sometimes I talk about my day at the office, sometimes about how my team is doing; sometimes I like to open my heart like this.
All the while, your eyes are getting heavy and you settle further into your bed. Teddy bears and other stuffed animals look on.
You’re too young to understand, honey.
As long as I keep my tone light, and the flow of words constant, soon you’ll go back to sleep. And then I’ll go back to my bed, too. Your mummy is waiting for me.
Are you sleeping, now? Yes. Let me pull your blanket up for you. Snuggle in.
Goodnight, Princess. I love you. Sweet Dreams.