The morning after the day you ran away and you were found.
The morning after I had to absorb you hits, bite, curses, lies, spitting and kicking.
The morning after I and your mom had to take you to my house and put you in an empty room and lock the door.
The morning after I slept on the floor, right outside the door that held you.
The morning after and my arms are scared and bloody from the night before.
The morning after my ex-wife and I united to save our one and only daughter.
The morning after I watched text message after text message roll in to your cell phone from boys promising you drugs, alcohol and fun if only you would talk to them.
Yes this is the morning after all that but it is also the first day of getting clean. This is the first day that you see that I would suffer all that to keep you safe. This is the first day of many to come where you will be safe. This is the first day that it will be ok to be a 16 girl.
Someplace in that tangle of rage and darkness is the young woman that my daughter turned into.
I hope to meet her some day.
I hope to hug her with tears as happy as the sad ones I shed.
Here's to hope.
-Your loving Dan
I know you don't know that Tori, I know you don't feel that right now but let's hope you do after all is said and done, lets hope you do.
