Chapter 39 - The Empty Nest
They walked down to the campus courtyard.
The moment of departure had finally arrived. Richard looked at his daughter, standing in front of the historic, imposing buildings of her new life.
"Call me if you need anything,"
Richard said, his voice thick with emotion, finally letting his stoic facade crack just a little.
"Even if it's 3:00 AM and you just can't sleep."
"I know, Dad,"
Sophie whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
She threw her arms around his neck, holding him with the fierce, desperate strength of a child who knew exactly how much her father had sacrificed to get her to this exact moment.
"I love you, Daddy,"
She cried softly into his shoulder.
"I love you too, Sophie. Go show them what you can do,"
Richard replied, kissing the top of her head.
May you like
He watched her walk away, turning around to wave before she disappeared through the heavy campus doors.
Richard got into his car, the silence deafening. But as he drove away, he didn't feel the crushing weight of loss. He felt the ultimate, soaring triumph of a job well done.
