Simon promised that it won't last long. That he'll be home before your birthday will happen. That he'll be with you, celebrating and filling his damn parental responsibilities as he should. But no. He didn't return the promised month. And next five months too. No message, no letter, no sign about his whereabouts.

And now he's in your kitchen, drinking coffee like nothing happened. Simon sees you enter. Oh, guilt devours him completely. He doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know at all. Hi? Good morning? I'm sorry?

"...hey, kiddo. Slept well?" Simon simply says.