Bikky had loved his dad. Deep down, he still did. After his mom had died when he was only five, his dad had been all the family he’d got, so it had been the two of them against the world. Even now, Bikky was sure his dad had done the best he could.

Thinking back, after his mom was gone, Bikky had been left home alone a lot of the time. When he was really little, there’d always been a sitter when his dad was out, but by the time he was eight he’d gotten used to taking care of himself, fixing a sandwich or a bowl of cereal when he was hungry, getting himself ready for school on the days he bothered going, putting himself to bed, or falling asleep on the sofa when he was too sleepy to stay awake any longer.

His dad would stay out late at night, often not coming home until the early hours. Then he’d sleep late into the morning, but when he was at home and awake, he was fun to be with. He made sure there was always food in the house, even if it was mostly in packets and tins, and that Bikky always had clothes to wear. Sometimes he’d make dinner, usually in the microwave. Other times they’d get take-out, pizza, or burgers.

One thing had always stood out though. After his mom died, Bikky had cried, a lot, because he missed her so much. Missed her tucking him in, kissing him goodnight, missed her hugs and her smile, missed her laughter and her warm, brown eyes. But his dad hadn’t cried, not that Bikky had seen. He’d said Bikky was getting too old for it too, that big boys were strong and didn’t cry, and Bikky had tried so hard to be strong like his dad.

Even when his dad was murdered and Bikky had found himself all alone in the world, he’d forced himself not to cry. He’d wanted to, but he was ten and hadn’t wanted anyone to think he was a weak little kid.

But Ryo had told him it was okay to cry, that it didn’t make him weak. He’d been kind, caring, and understanding, just like Bikky’s mom, and he’d made Bikky feel safe.

Sometimes Bikky felt bad for thinking it, but Ryo was a far better parent than his dad had been.


The End