Hope picked it out within an hour of driving through the country. “That’s it, Dad! That’s the one!” she said, excited. Todd looked at the light blue house with the picket fence. Madeline would have picked this one too, he thought. “You’re sure? This is the one you like?” Hope bounced up and down in her seat. “Yes, Dad! I love it!” They did all the paperwork and within a few weeks they were moved in. Hope picked the room she wanted and Todd helped her decorate. Hope placed her photo of Madeline in a silver frame on her nightstand by the bed. Todd watched her stare at her mother’s face. She never talked much about her to Todd. Todd knew she was just trying to be tough, just like her mother. Before he tucked Hope into bed at night he would see her talking to Madeline’s picture. Tell her about her day, let out her frustrations, and sometimes cry. She would tell Madeline good night, kiss her photo, and place it under her pillow. She did it every night. Hope didn’t know that Todd knew, and he never pushed her to talk about her mother. One day she’ll ask, he thought, and I’ll tell her everything she wants to know.



“So what would my princess like for dinner tonight?” Todd asked Hope. She walked into the kitchen and set her earphones down on the counter. “Ugh, Dad, I’m too old to still be your princess.” she said. Todd laughed as he fixed her favorite supper, his special burgers. The same burgers he fixed for her mother the day they met. She was turning 16 in a few weeks and they’d already planned a big party at Londoste. She was inviting all her friends from school and Todd even rented a limo to take them to and from the party. He loved spoiling her. “Did you get your homework done?” he asked as he took the pan from the stove. Hope walked over to the table. “Yes, Dad. Homework is done.” She set the silverware down at their places. Todd set their plates down and pulled the chair out for her. “You know Dad, you keep doing this and you’re going to make it very hard for me to find a boyfriend to live up to your standard.” she smiled and said as she sat down. He laughed. He thought about how Madeline would tease him just like that for his old fashioned good manners. “That’s good, you don’t deserve any less.” he said as he sat down with her.



Todd looked across the table at Hope. She was so much like her mother, he saw her every time he looked into her sparkling blue eyes. He didn’t feel sad about losing Madeline anymore because he knew that he still had part of her with him every day, calling him Dad. Hope put her burger down and looked at him. “Dad, what was mom like?” Todd’s tried to hide his surprise. “What?” he said. She looked at him in the eyes. “I want you to tell me everything about mom. I know you loved her. She must have been wonderful.” she said. Todd smiled. “Yes she was. She was the most wonderful person I’d ever met.” He went on to tell her about how they met, how sweet and kind she was to him, and how she was the one who talked him into being a chef. “She gave me a reason to believe in myself.” he said. “She gave me a reason to live.” Hope’s blue eyes filled with tears listening to her dad’s story. “I wish I could remember her.” she said, sadly. Todd reached out and touched Hope’s hand. “She’s always with you, Hope. Anytime you ever feel scared or feel like you need someone just know that she’s there.” He said. “Just imagine her hand on your shoulder and you’ll be fine. You’ll feel her love in your heart, always.” Hope smiled and held his hand. “I love you, Dad.” she said. He smiled. “I love you too, Hope.”

**Thanks to everyone who read my story! Please leave comments, it gives me inspiration to keep writing! Constructive criticism is appreciated!**