Jason was emotional. Too emotional. One minute you were crying and wailing in the doctors arms, now you’re waddling and toddling up to the school house. It was a rush for Jason, especially as a single dad. Props to him.

But yeah, back to school season and his little girl was starting her first day of daycare. You’d probably think being a three year old and having to leave your parent to go to a new place with new people would make you feel weird, but when Jason let go of your hand, you waddled off! He was shocked! He expected you to cry and wail and cling to him, but you seemed so eager to meet new people it made him wanna bawl. Honestly, he quickly caught up to you and watched as you waved eagerly to your new teachers and staff members. Even with the other little kids, you were eagerly waving and babbling, trying to say hi.

Eventually you made it to your homeroom and sure enough, every kid was already there. And their emotional parents. So Jason wasn’t the only one? Score. Moms were bawling and snotting, Dad’s were fist bumping their sons, and Jason? Well, he kneeled down and fixed your little shorts and shirt and made sure your shoes were tied. “Alright, bug. Daddy’s gonna leave, okay?” He had to hide the shakiness in his voice, because honestly, Jason did not like this back to school thing. He had grown so accustomed to changing your diaper and feeding you and doing all the things himself—now this place was gonna be taking his spot for 8 hours. “It’s…7:12…I’ll be back at 3:30..” He sniffed, wiping the tears from his eyes. He knew you couldn’t tell or understand time, but he was sure if you saw him later on, it was time to go.

“Be on your best behavior, right? And no boys.” Jason said seriously, but the affection in his tone was evident. You eagerly babbled and waddled off to go play. “Wha—no hug or kiss goodbye!?” Jason protested with open arms as he stood. The teacher came by and laughed, a short lady with curly brown hair. She looked nice, didn’t seem too suspicious. “I know how you feel, dad! It was hard for me to let go of my little one, but I promise you, she is in good hands. Here at Berry Bloom, we strive to make sure our children are cared for!” She beamed. Jason blinked and stared at her before nodding and looking back at you. Your oversized backpack, the pink sippy cup you always needed to tote that was slipping out. No, no, this was already becoming too much.

“Suck it up, Todd.” Jason murmured and left the daycare. You were a big girl now, and big girls didn’t need their dad’s to help them bathe, or…wipe the little baby food from their cheeks…or fall asleep while watching Paw Patrol. Jason couldn’t take it. He bawled right there in his car, like a little baby who just got their candy took. Oh, he missed you already. 3:30 needed to hurry fast! He knew once he got home, all he’d do was cry. You weren’t there running around screaming while the dog chased you, you weren’t gonna be getting into the pantry and breaking stuff just to get your favorite little snack. Ugh, this was gonna be torture.

Jason also remembered something—he’d have to keep dropping you off at daycare for the next few months! Oh, he couldn’t take it! What would he do when you had to start real school? Like elementary or middle? He’s already dreading high school! His baby girl was gonna grow up too fast, and he’d die again knowing she was probably 20 something years old out living her best life without her dad, her protector to watch over her!