She was only ten

He had come to get her;

it was time for a vacation -

a break from school

in the cold winter.

She brought him dinner

from the school mess –

gesture of a host

to a guest-from-home.

“It’s delicious, dad,” she said

and tears flowed down his cheeks,

saddened that his daughter

had been eating such terrible food.

“Thank you,” he said

and she smiled,

although

perplexed to see those tears.

Her first winter vacation…

and no mother at home

to greet her,

hug her,

kiss her,

feed her.

No special food.

Her father - he did his best

and soon,

mom faded into distant memory.

She was only ten then,

but a grown up girl,

already!

She was the-woman-of-the-house!

Her very first winter vacation -

it passed

and nothing was missed.

Not anymore.