- 9 hours ago
The Last Note from Mom
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm five years old.
00:01My mom made me memorize one address before she became a star in the sky.
00:06On Father's Day, I followed that address to a huge iron gate.
00:11I held a handmade card and a photo of my parents from six years ago.
00:15The man inside looked at me with cold eyes.
00:18Tell your mother her tricks won't work on me anymore.
00:21He thought my mother sent me to scam him for money.
00:24He didn't know she was already gone.
00:26He didn't know she had loved him until her last breath.
00:30He didn't know I was his daughter.
00:32I didn't know I was supposed to give my dad a gift on Father's Day until a year after my
00:37mom, Rosamund Gage, passed away.
00:39But I didn't have any gifts.
00:41All I had was the letter mom had left for him.
00:44Ever since I can remember, mom was always on the phone with dad out on the balcony.
00:49When I was three, I heard her shout,
00:52$800,000 breakup money?
00:54What was that even enough for?
00:56I spent it ages ago. I need money now.
00:59When I was four, I heard her sob and beg.
01:03You're all big and successful now.
01:07Just give me some money.
01:10Treat it like charity, okay?
01:13When I was five, dad stopped calling.
01:15And soon after, mom was gone.
01:18The liar said mom hadn't touched a single penny in her account.
01:21She had left it all for me.
01:23But I didn't want money.
01:25I just wanted mom back.
01:28This year, my elementary school teacher said we should thank our dads with a gift on Father's Day.
01:34So I made the prettiest card I could.
01:36I followed the address on the envelope mom left me and arrived at this huge fancy iron gate.
01:41But the security guard stopped me and said,
01:44Hey kiddo, Mr. Lozano doesn't have a kid.
01:47You must have got the wrong place.
01:48I held up the photo I had always kept safe.
01:51Look!
01:52This is my mom and this is my dad.
01:55Mom said dad lives right here.
01:57In the photo, mom was leaning on dad's shoulder.
01:59Both of them smiling like they were the happiest people in the world.
02:03It had been taken six years ago.
02:05Not long after that, mom left him.
02:07By then, she was already pregnant with me.
02:11Afraid the guard wouldn't believe me, I pulled out the envelope.
02:14On it, in mom's handwriting, were the words,
02:17To Jeffrey Lozano.
02:19I had memorized the address by heart.
02:22This is a letter my mom left for my dad.
02:24And the address is here!
02:26The guard stared at my red, puffy cheeks for a long time.
02:30Then he took me to see dad.
02:32Mr. Lozano, this little girl says she's here to see you.
02:36Dad lowered his head and scrutinized me.
02:39What trick is your mom playing this time?
02:42She even sent you here?
02:44Where is she?
02:47Hiding outside, waiting for money?
02:48Thinking of mom, I couldn't hold back my tears.
02:51Mom's in heaven now?
02:53He froze for a second, then let out a scoff.
02:56Running scams for your mom at such a young age?
02:59Like mother, like daughter.
03:03A woman in a light blue dress asked as she descended the stairs.
03:07Geth, do you have a guest?
03:08Dad didn't even turn around.
03:10Yvette, it's nothing, just head back upstairs.
03:12Her smile froze for a second, then she pulled herself together.
03:17What a cute little girl.
03:19What's your name?
03:20I answered in a whisper.
03:22Deseria Lozano.
03:24Desiree meant missing and longing.
03:26Mom gave me that name because she missed dad.
03:29Yvette's face paled.
03:31Geth?
03:32She has your last name?
03:34Dad adjusted his cufflinks, irritation plain on his face.
03:38Just a coincidence.
03:39Where's your mom?
03:40Tell her to come out and see me.
03:41I sniffed and held out the card I had worked so hard on.
03:44Mom became a star in the sky.
03:47My teacher said I should thank my dad on Father's Day.
03:52I made this for you.
03:55I put glitter stickers on the front of the card to spell dad and I drew stars all around it.
04:01The biggest, brightest star was mom.
04:03I had spent several nights making it.
04:06My finger stuck to the glue so many times.
04:08Dad stared at the card, his face unreadable.
04:12Yvette's eyes turned colder.
04:14Jeff, kids these days have such wild imaginations.
04:18Someone must have coached her.
04:19Some people will do anything to get close to you.
04:22Dad's expression darkened as though an unpleasant memory had resurfaced.
04:27Did your mom teach you to play pitiful?
04:29I stopped falling for a poor little act six years ago.
04:32I shook my head and pulled out the photo that mom and I had treasured so much.
04:38Look, this is you and this is mom.
04:43She kept this photo and looked at it every single day.
04:46The edges were worn and frayed.
04:50So many nights, I'd wake up and see mom sitting by the window.
04:53She'd stare at that photo in the moonlight and tears would roll down her face quietly.
04:58She'd hold me in her arms and whisper,
05:01Desi, this is your dad.
05:04He's so gentle.
05:07He would have been the best dad in the world.
05:09She told me they thought they'd be together forever the day this photo was taken.
05:15Dad's thumb brushed over mom's smiling face in the photo.
05:19Yvette reached for it, but he turned away, avoiding her hand.
05:23Jeff?
05:24She spoke.
05:25Dad's voice was a little hoarse when he asked me.
05:28She still kept this?
05:30I nodded quickly.
05:31She looked at it every single day!
05:35She said it was her most precious thing!
05:38Yvette's face went pale.
05:41One photo proves nothing.
05:44It doesn't erase what she did.
05:47Dad's expression hardened again.
05:50The same old trick again.
05:53Faking her death for money?
05:55Just when I thought she couldn't sink any lower.
05:58I lunged to grab the photo back.
06:02She didn't fake it!
06:04Dad cut me off impatiently.
06:06Go tell your mom whatever we had ended six years ago.
06:10Stop pulling these stunts.
06:12He just wouldn't believe me.
06:14So I started crying because I was so frustrated.
06:19Mom's really gone!
06:20She's not coming back!
06:22She was sick!
06:23It hurt so much that she couldn't sleep at night!
06:26But she never cried.
06:28She said if she cried, I'd be even sadder.
06:31She was holding this photo even in her last moments.
06:36Dad raised his hand toward the guard.
06:38That's enough.
06:39Take her out.
06:41I struggled.
06:42Give me back the photo!
06:44It was mom's most precious treasure.
06:47I couldn't leave it here.
06:48Dad carelessly tossed the photo aside.
06:51I rushed to catch the photo, but I tripped and fell down.
06:55My backpack flew open.
06:56Everything inside spilled onto the ground.
06:59A little pill bottle rolled across the marble floor and stopped right against dad's shoe dough.
07:03He froze mid-step.
07:05I sat on the ground feeling helpless.
07:08My knee all scraped up.
07:09I said quietly in my heart,
07:11Mama.
07:13I don't believe me.
07:15The painkiller bottle mom used for ages was right at dad's feet.
07:19He saw it, but that was all.
07:21Dad picked up the small bottle and turned it over and over.
07:24His brow furrowed tightly.
07:27Painkillers?
07:30Why do you have these?
07:31I wiped my tears roughly with the back of my hand.
07:35Mom wouldn't hurt so much after she took these!
07:38Dad's hand seemed to tremble at my words.
07:41Yvette took the bottle from him, shook one out, sniffed it, and popped it straight into her mouth.
07:45I stared in shock.
07:48She chewed it for a second and her face changed a little.
07:52Geff?
07:54These aren't pills.
07:55They're milk tablets.
07:56Dad was stunned.
07:58He took the bottle back from Yvette, poured a few out, and brought them to his nose.
08:04What is this all about?
08:06He looked at me, his eyes turning cold again.
08:10I whispered.
08:12Mom's pills ran out ages ago.
08:14What?
08:14I didn't dare look up at him.
08:16Mom's pills ran out last summer.
08:19Ms. Manley said they were super expensive, and we didn't have enough money to buy more.
08:25Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I fought hard to hold them back.
08:29I didn't want Mom to hurt, so Mrs. Manley gave me milk tablets, and said sweet stuff would
08:37make the pain go away.
08:39So I put them inside the bottle, and told Mom they were new pills.
08:44After she took them, she smiled and said,
08:47Desi's pills work great.
08:49My pain's gone.
08:51When Mom died, I still kept the bottle with me.
08:56It felt like she was right there with me.
08:58Dad stared at the bottle in his hand, his expression shifting over and over.
09:03Suddenly, he lifted his hand and threw the bottle into the trash.
09:07Your mom's a liar, and you're a little liar too.
09:11I panicked and lunged for the bottle.
09:13I'm not lying!
09:15That's Mom's bottle!
09:17Dad stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
09:20A bottle full of milk tablets?
09:23You've got this whole story planned out, don't you?
09:28Go tell your mom this trick won't work on me.
09:31I tried to push him, but he didn't move an inch.
09:34I looked up at him, tears streaming, screaming.
09:37You threw it out!
09:39What's Mom gonna take when she's in pain at night?
09:42She won't sleep at all!
09:44I remembered how Mom would turn pale from pain, but she'd still wipe away my tears and comfort me.
09:49Don't worry, Desi.
09:52It doesn't hurt.
09:53Your dad...
09:55He could never stand to see me in pain.
10:00Once, when I scraped my knee just a little, he felt so bad.
10:04He said I had to get better by the next day, or else he would...
10:08He would what?
10:09Mom's eyes lit up as she continued.
10:12He'd find the best medicine ever just to make sure I didn't hurt anymore.
10:16But now Dad had thrown Mom's pills into the trash.
10:22I shoved Dad away, grabbed the bottle, and hugged it tight to my chest.
10:27You're all bad, guys!
10:29I don't want to give you a Father's Day gift anymore!
10:32I glared at Dad, then shot a hard look at Yvette, who was watching this all.
10:37You're all bad!
10:39I hate you!
10:40With that, I turned and ran out the door, still holding the bottle.
10:44Yvette's voice came from behind.
10:46Geph, maybe we should send someone after her.
10:49It's not safe for a little kid to be out alone.
10:52Let her leave.
10:53She's not my daughter.
10:55Why should I care?
10:58I had no idea where to go, so I just kept walking down the street.
11:02I said to Mom in my heart,
11:04Mom, Dad has a new family.
11:07A new lady by his side.
11:10He doesn't want me anymore.
11:12Tears kept flowing out of my eyes.
11:15Mom said Dad would be so happy when he found out about me.
11:18He would lift me high, put me on his shoulders, and show me the tallest views.
11:22He would buy me pretty dresses and make me a real princess.
11:27Mom said so many things he would do.
11:29But now he didn't want me.
11:31He even called me a little liar.
11:33I missed Mom so much.
11:35I squatted down by the road, hugging the bottle.
11:38I was crying so hard I could hardly breathe.
11:41The sky grew darker and darker.
11:43I stood up and kept walking.
11:45I had no idea where to go, and I didn't even know where I could go.
11:49My legs felt so heavy, and my head did too.
11:52I stumbled and reached for the tree next to me, but I missed it.
11:57Desi!
11:57Was that Dad's voice?
11:59But why would he come for me?
12:01He said I wasn't his daughter, didn't he?
12:03I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids grew so heavy.
12:09When I woke up again, the air smelled like disinfectant.
12:13I tried to sit up, but a hand gently pressed my shoulder down.
12:16Don't move.
12:17You're getting an IV.
12:18It was Dad's voice.
12:20He set a glass of warm water on the bedside table, his voice stiff.
12:24Low blood sugar.
12:26Malnutrition.
12:27Is this how your mom takes care of you?
12:29I hurried to defend Mom.
12:32No!
12:33Mom gave me all the good food.
12:35She only ate plain cereal herself.
12:37I thought about those days back then.
12:40Mom got thinner and thinner, her face pale, but she always smiled and gave me the only egg
12:44we had.
12:45When I woke up hungry at night, I'd find her in the kitchen eating leftover bread with
12:50cold water.
12:51Dad looked away.
12:53She had $800,000.
12:57How could she let you go hungry?
12:59I tried to speak up for Mom, but my throat hurt from shouting earlier.
13:04My heart sank.
13:06When is your mom coming to pick you up?
13:08Mom isn't coming.
13:11She's in heaven now.
13:12Enough!
13:13Dad stood up and paced, annoyed.
13:16Don't say that again.
13:17You'll stay with me until your mom shows up.
13:19I'd like to see how long she can keep this up.
13:22I was stunned Dad was going to keep me.
13:24He added,
13:26I'm only letting you stay temporarily.
13:28When she comes, I'll ask her what kind of game she's playing this time.
13:32My mind was a mess.
13:34Dad still didn't believe Mom was dead.
13:36After the four, Dad took me back to the big house.
13:40I couldn't sleep so I walked down the hallway barefoot.
13:42The door to the room at the end of the hallway was slightly open.
13:46I pushed it open a little and froze when I saw what was in there.
13:49The room was huge.
13:51Three walls were glass closets full of clothes.
13:54Every piece was special, nothing like the ones in stores out there.
13:57A light purple dress caught him.
14:01What are you doing in here?
14:02I was startled and turned around.
14:05Dad stood in the doorway, his face sullen.
14:07I, I was just walking around.
14:10Dad said nothing.
14:12He walked to the purple dress and brushed his fingers lightly over the fabric.
14:16It was the exact same way he'd touched the photo.
14:19I gathered my courage and asked,
14:21Who are all these clothes for?
14:23His hands stopped moving.
14:24He shoved his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
14:28None of your business, he said.
14:30I pointed at the purple dress.
14:32But mom has a picture wearing this.
14:34She said,
14:35You designed it for her.
14:37What else did she say?
14:39His voice was even rougher now.
14:41Mom said,
14:42You designed lots of dresses for her.
14:44You said she was your muse.
14:46And you'd put her in the most beautiful dresses in the world.
14:50Dad went quiet.
14:51He walked to a mannequin and stared at the unfinished white dress.
14:55New pieces are added to this room.
14:57Every month.
14:59When I heard that,
15:00I froze every month.
15:02But mom left you six years ago.
15:05Why are you still making clothes for her?
15:08I asked.
15:09Dad didn't answer.
15:10He just stood there, looking at all the dresses.
15:13I stared at his back and suddenly remembered mom crying over the photo late at night.
15:18Maybe dad didn't hate mom as much as he said.
15:21Get out.
15:22Don't come into this room again.
15:23I nodded and walked out slowly.
15:26I got to the door and couldn't help but look back.
15:29Dad was still standing there, his back to me.
15:32His back usually so straight and strong looked so lonely right then.
15:36On the third day I lived with dad, Yvette came over again.
15:48Dad was sitting on the sofa sorting through papers and he said not even looking up.
15:53Just put it there.
15:54Yvette set the box on the coffee table calmly.
15:57When she opened it, I saw a white cake with pretty chocolate flowers inside it looks super expensive and yummy.
16:03I couldn't take my eyes off it.
16:05It looked so beautiful.
16:07When mom was still alive, we only ever saw cakes like this through the supermarket windows.
16:14Yvette noticed my stare and asked,
16:17Do you want some, Desi?
16:19I looked at her, then at the cake and nodded.
16:22Then you can have it.
16:23I scooped up a tiny bit with a spoon and put it in my mouth.
16:28It was so sweet.
16:30So soft.
16:31Is it good?
16:32I nodded, closed my eyes and folded my hands before my chest.
16:36When I opened my eyes, Yvette was smiling and asked me,
16:39What did you wish for, Desi?
16:41I answered,
16:42I wish mom could taste this cake.
16:44She never had anything like it.
16:46Yvette glanced at dad and then said to me,
16:50Your mom's overseas.
16:51She's had all the nice stuff ever.
16:53Probably she's eating something even better right now.
16:56Dad finally looked up.
16:57He stared at me, his eyes cold.
17:00Your mom is really heartless,
17:02leaving you here for days without even showing up.
17:06I didn't say anything.
17:07I just kept my head down and ate the cake, taking tiny bites.
17:11But mom really had never had it.
17:13In the last few months of her life, she couldn't even hold down soft food.
17:17She was nothing, but skin and bones lying in bed too weak to sit up.
17:23But she still stroked my head and said to me,
17:25When I get better, I'll take you for cake.
17:30The biggest.
17:31The cake in my mouth suddenly tasted bitter.
17:36On Father's Day morning, I woke up early.
17:39I took out my card again and looked at it.
17:41The word dad on the front was still shiny and the stars around it were too.
17:45Only the star for mom had worn off a little because I'd touched it so much.
17:49I also took out the letter mom had left for dad.
17:53The envelope was thick.
17:54I'd waited for days so I already knew the truth mom wasn't gonna come back.
17:58She was really gone forever.
18:01Dad called me a liar, but I thought he was the real liar.
18:05He said mom would come pick me up, but she never would.
18:08He said mom had $800,000 and was living well, but she couldn't even afford her medicine.
18:14I held the card and the letter and went downstairs to find dad.
18:17Dad, I held out the card.
18:20Happy Father's Day.
18:22Dad took it and looked at it without saying a word.
18:25I then held out the letter.
18:27And this is from mom.
18:29To you.
18:29Dad didn't take it.
18:31He stared at the envelope in my hand, a complicated expression on his face.
18:36Keep the letter.
18:37I'll wait for your mom to give it to me herself.
18:40I shook my head.
18:42Mom can't.
18:43She will.
18:44When she's tired of playing games, she'll come.
18:47She won't come!
18:49I raised my voice a little.
18:51My hand shook and I accidentally dropped the envelope.
18:54We both looked down.
18:56The envelope wasn't sealed.
18:57When it fell, the paper inside slid out a little bit.
19:00The writing on the cover was big and forceful.
19:03Last words from Rosamund.
19:05At the sight of the words, dad froze.
19:08Jeff, by the time you read this, I will already be gone.
19:13I'm sorry to tell you the truth this way.
19:16Everything I said and did six years ago.
19:18The cruel words.
19:20The $800,000 I demanded.
19:25None of them was my choice.
19:27Back then, you drove Ralph's company into bankruptcy.
19:31He hated you and wanted you to lose everything you loved.
19:34He knew he couldn't touch you, so he came after me.
19:39You'd had people protecting me the whole time, and he never got a chance.
19:43So, he kidnapped my mom.
19:47She'd just come downstairs to bring me soup when they took her.
19:50He said if I didn't do exactly what he told me, he'd make sure my mom never came back and
19:55you'd be next.
19:56My mom was tied up, crying when she saw me.
19:59Ralph shoved a phone in my hand and made me call you.
20:01He said I had to make you hate me.
20:03Make you believe I left only for the money, so you wouldn't look for revenge.
20:08Jeff, every word I said on that phone call pained my heart.
20:11I told you, I never loved you.
20:16I was only with you for your money and power.
20:20You've made too many enemies now.
20:22I'm tired of it.
20:25You, who never cried, begged me not to leave your voice broken.
20:29I could barely stand after hanging up.
20:31He warned me that if I ever told you the truth, he'd have people hurt you and my mom, even
20:36if he was abroad.
20:37After my mom was rescued, she was terrified and her health collapsed.
20:41She begged me on her knees never to contact you again.
20:44She was scared they'd come back.
20:46She was scared they'd come back.
20:49But I didn't know then that I was already pregnant with Desi.
20:52I wanted to tell you, but my mom threatened me with her own life, and I was terrified Ralph's threats
20:57were real.
20:58I took what little money I had and moved to another city, hoping I could have the baby and wait
21:02until it was safe.
21:03But Ralph was like a shadow.
21:05I'd always been afraid that he was secretly watching me from somewhere.
21:08These years were hard.
21:10I had no skills, and I had to raise a child.
21:13The money I made from small jobs barely kept us fed.
21:16Desi was such a good girl.
21:17She never asked for toys or new clothes, but it broke my heart.
21:21I kept remembering you saying you'd make our little girl the happiest princess in the world.
21:25When Desi was three, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
21:28My first thought was, at least Desi was a little older now.
21:32Surgery cost a fortune.
21:33So did chemo.
21:35I had nothing.
21:36So I kept asking you for money any way I could.
21:38I wanted to live.
21:40Just one more year, one more month, even one more day was fine.
21:43I wanted to watch Desi grow up a little more.
21:47But the doctors drew me back to the cruel reality.
21:50Spending that money on myself would have been like throwing gold into a bottomless pit.
21:54So I saved every penny you sent me.
21:56I put it all in an account under Desi's name.
21:59I know it won't make her rich for life.
22:01But at least, when I'm gone, she won't have nothing.
22:05The last days of my life were painful.
22:07But the worst pain was seeing Desi worry about me.
22:09She was so little, but so brave.
22:11I don't have the strength to write anymore.
22:14Jeff, if you're reading this, please, I'm begging you, please love our daughter.
22:18Desi is yours, look at her eyes.
22:20They're just like yours.
22:21Her name is Desiree Lozano.
22:23Desiree for missing you.
22:25I never stopped missing you for the past six years.
22:27I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you till the end.
22:30But I never regretted loving you.
22:32And I never regretted having Desi.
22:34Be happy.
22:35Be happy for both of us.
22:38Dad stood completely still after he finished reading the letter.
22:42He stared at the paper in his hands, his eyes terrifyingly red.
22:46Yvette walked over and forced a smile.
22:48What's this?
22:49Don't tell me you actually believe this kid.
22:52Get out.
22:53Sorry?
22:54I said, get out.
22:57Yvette flinched and stepped back, scared by his face.
23:01Jeff, calm down.
23:04This is obviously fake.
23:06The handwriting can be copied.
23:08And the story is just too...
23:10I stood up and stepped in front of dad, even though I only came up to his waist.
23:14My mom didn't make up stories!
23:17I shouted at Yvette.
23:19You're the bad one.
23:21You keep saying mean things about her.
23:23You don't even know her.
23:25You don't know how good she was.
23:28Yvette's face turned pale and then flushed.
23:31I'm only saying this for your own good, Jeff.
23:33This girl showed up out of nowhere, and this letter is even more suspicious.
23:38If Rosamode was really suffering that badly, why didn't she contact you in six years?
23:45Why only after she was...
23:48Tears flooded my eyes again.
23:51I cut her off.
23:52Because of Grandma!
23:54Those bad guys took Grandma!
23:56Mom was scared!
23:59Grandma begged her not to find Dad, and Mom promised!
24:03That was what Mom had told me.
24:05I didn't really understand what kidnapping or threats meant.
24:09But I knew Mom did it to protect Grandma and to protect Dad as well.
24:13Yvette was about to say more, but Dad cut her off.
24:17Yvette, the partnership between our families will not be renewed when it ends next month.
24:22As for the arranged marriage, I told you, six years ago it was impossible.
24:25I'll say it one last time, it's never going to happen.
24:28All because of this letter?
24:30Because of some kid you don't even know?
24:32Dad pulled me close to his side.
24:34This gesture made me feel so moved.
24:36She is not some kid.
24:38She's my daughter.
24:40Rosamel was my wife, and she will always be.
24:44Yvette's eyes widened.
24:46Have you lost your mind?
24:48Left me live and lost your money!
24:50She said it herself that she never loved you!
24:52She was forced to.
24:53Where's your proof?
24:55What else do you have besides this letter?
24:58Ralph's living it up abroad.
24:59If she was really threatened, why didn't she speak up earlier?
25:02Why only now?
25:04Dad looked at me, but it was like he was looking at Mom through me.
25:08The pain in his eyes was almost overflowing.
25:12Rose's mother had a weak heart and was terrified.
25:15She couldn't risk it.
25:16Yvette opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
25:19Dad turned back to her, his voice cold again.
25:22Please leave.
25:24Now, and don't come again.
25:27Security will show you out.
25:29Jeffrey, you'll regret this!
25:31I already do.
25:32Dad said, his eyes falling to the letter.
25:34I've regretted it for six years.
25:37Yvette stood there, staring at him for a long time.
25:40Finally she turned and left.
25:42The sound of her high heels faded at the door.
25:45Dad slowly crouched down in front of me.
25:47His eyes were still red.
25:48He reached out like he wanted to touch my face, but his hand stopped halfway.
25:53Desi, I'm sorry.
25:56I shook my head, not knowing what to say.
26:00What else did your mom tell you?
26:03I bit my lip and thought for a moment.
26:05Mom said you were really gentle, and you said you'd be with her forever.
26:12Dad closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
26:15When he opened them again, he gently touched my head.
26:20Dad, do you believe me now?
26:24Mom is really gone.
26:25He remained silent for so long that I thought he would refuse to believe me again.
26:30Yes.
26:30Finally he answered.
26:32I believe you.
26:33A tear fell from his eye and hit the floor.
26:35He was crying silently.
26:37I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck.
26:40He stiffened for a second.
26:42Then he slowly put his arms around my back.
26:45His arms were shaking, and he held me so tight, like he was scared I would disappear too.
26:50I'm sorry.
26:51I'm so sorry, Desi.
26:53I'm sorry, Rosa.
26:54In that hug, I finally found something I'd been missing ever since mom left.
26:59Though it came so late, and with so many tears.
27:02Three days later, dad took me to the cemetery.
27:05He walked slowly, holding my hand the whole time.
27:08His hand was big, his palm warm.
27:11He stopped in front of mom's tombstone.
27:13In the photo on it, mom was smiling softly, her eyes crinkled at the corners.
27:18Dad stood there, staring for a long time.
27:21He reached out and brushed his fingertips gently over her face in the photo.
27:26Rosa, I'm here.
27:28The wind blew through the tombstone, stirring up a few fallen leaves.
27:32I'm sorry I didn't come sooner.
27:34I'm sorry for hating you all these six years.
27:38For being wrong about you.
27:40He didn't sob out loud, but tears dropped one by one onto the stone slab in front of the tombstone.
27:46Why were you so silly?
27:48Why didn't you tell me?
27:49I would have protected you and your mom with everything I had.
27:55How could you carry this all alone?
27:58He knelt down.
27:59I looked for you everywhere.
28:03Those first two years, I searched like a madman.
28:07Then I told myself you weren't worth it.
28:10That you left for the money.
28:13So I stopped searching.
28:14But I was lying to myself.
28:18I made you new dresses every month.
28:20Kept your photos.
28:23I never let go.
28:25I couldn't.
28:26I stood beside dad, watching his shaking back.
28:29I thought about mom's last days.
28:31She lay in bed, nothing but skin and bones, barely able to drink water.
28:36But she'd still look up at the sky outside the window and whisper.
28:39Desi, what do you think your dad is doing right now?
28:44Now I crouched down next to dad and took his hand.
28:47Dad, before mom was gone, she stared at your photo the whole time.
28:53Dad looked up, his eyes red with tears.
28:56What else did she say?
28:59I thought back to all the things mom had told me.
29:02Then I said, when the pain kept her up at night, she'd ask me to get your photo.
29:08She said that looking at you helped ease the pain.
29:11Dad's breathing got ragged.
29:13How long did the pain torture her?
29:16He asked.
29:17I answered, a long time.
29:20At first, it was her stomach.
29:22She said it was an old problem.
29:25Then it got worse and worse, and she couldn't sleep at night.
29:29Ms. Manley took her to the hospital.
29:31When they came back, mom was crying.
29:33I stared at mom's photo on the tombstone.
29:36The doctor said it would take a lot of money to fix her.
29:40And we didn't have that much.
29:42Mom took out her bank card and looked at it for a long time.
29:46Then she said she wouldn't get treatment.
29:48She wanted to save the money for me to go to school.
29:50Dad's hand tightened suddenly, squeezing mine a little too hard.
29:53But he let go right away.
29:55What happened next?
29:56Then mom got thinner and thinner.
29:58She couldn't cook anymore, so Ms. Manley brought us meals.
30:02Mom always gave me the meat from her plate.
30:04Saying she couldn't eat it.
30:06Once, I woke up in the middle of the night.
30:09And I found her in the kitchen, eating bread with cold water.
30:14When she saw me, she smiled and said she was having a midnight snack.
30:19In those last few months, mom couldn't get out of bed.
30:23Ms. Manley came to take care of her.
30:25Mom would always ask me,
30:27Desi, if your dad knew how good you are, he'd love you, right?
30:31I said yes, he definitely would.
30:33Then she smiled with tears coming out in the end.
30:36After I said that, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.
30:40I'd never told anyone these memories before.
30:42They felt like stones weighing on my heart.
30:45Now that I'd said them out loud, the stones felt lighter, but the hole in my heart felt bigger.
30:50Dad reached over and pulled me into his arms.
30:53We knelt in front of mom's tombstone, hugging each other and crying.
30:56Rosa, don't worry.
30:59From today on, Desi is my whole life.
31:01I'll take good care of her.
31:03I'll send her to the best schools.
31:08Buy her the Pret.
31:09East dresses.
31:11And make her the happiest little princess in the world.
31:15I won't let her suffer the way you did.
31:17I won't let those who hurt you get away with it.
31:20Rosa, wait for me.
31:24When I finish what I need to do,
31:26when I raise Desi until she's an old lady,
31:29I'll come find you.
31:30Then you can yell at me all you want.
31:33Call me stupid.
31:34Call me heartless.
31:35Yell at me for making you wait so long.
31:37With that, dad took my hand and stood up.
31:40Let's go, Desi.
31:41Let your mom rest.
31:42As we turned to leave,
31:43I looked back one last time.
31:45The white flowers in front of the tombstone swayed Jen.
31:48Like mom was nodding at us.
31:52Days passed, one after another.
31:54Dad was busy, but he always made time for me.
31:57He learned to braid my hair,
31:59even though it always came out lopsided.
32:01He went to parent-teacher conferences,
32:03sitting among all the moms,
32:05taking notes carefully.
32:07On weekends, he took me to the amusement park
32:10and rode the merry-go-round with me,
32:11even though he looked a little pale.
32:13Once when I had a fever,
32:15he stayed up all night by my bed.
32:17When I woke up,
32:18I saw him asleep on the edge,
32:20still holding a cold washcloth in his hand.
32:22One night, I got up to drink water
32:24and heard his voice from the study.
32:26Found him?
32:28I want him locked up for the rest of his life.
32:31I pushed the door open and walked in.
32:33When dad saw me,
32:35he locked the screen right away.
32:37Why aren't you asleep?
32:38I didn't answer, asking instead,
32:40Who were you talking about?
32:42He remained silent for a moment before replying.
32:45The man who hurt your mom.
32:47Are you going to put him in jail?
32:49He touched my head softly.
32:51He's already caught.
32:53The trial's next month.
32:55I didn't ask anything else.
32:56But I knew dad was getting justice for mom
32:59in his own way.
33:02On the day of the trial, dad went alone.
33:04He let Joanna Manley take care of me.
33:07When he came home that night,
33:08he looked exhausted,
33:10but his eyes were bright.
33:11He's finished.
33:12Life in prison.
33:13We sat on the sofa without saying a word.
33:16Cartoons were on TV,
33:18but neither of us was watching.
33:20Does mom know?
33:21I asked.
33:22She does.
33:23I went to tell her today.
33:25He looked out the window.
33:28A few days later,
33:30dad took me to see grandma.
33:32She stayed in a nursing home,
33:33and her health was poor.
33:35When she saw dad,
33:36she cried hard, saying,
33:38I'm sorry.
33:39Over and over,
33:40dad held her hand and said,
33:43It's not your fault.
33:44Grandma took my hand
33:45and stared at me for a long time.
33:47You look like Rosa,
33:49and like Gev.
33:52This is good.
33:53On the way home,
33:54dad drove slowly.
33:55At a red light,
33:56he suddenly spoke up.
33:58Deji,
33:58do you want me to transfer you
33:59to a new school?
34:00A better one,
34:02with a bigger playground
34:03and nicer teachers.
34:05I like my school now.
34:07But you deserve better.
34:08Your mom would want you
34:09to have the very best.
34:11Okay then.
34:12Streetlights flashed by,
34:14casting light and shadow
34:15across dad's face.
34:18Dad.
34:19Yeah?
34:20Would mom be happy?
34:23Seeing us like this?
34:24I don't know.
34:26But I hope she would.
34:29In the first month
34:30after moving into the new house,
34:32dad redecorated the room
34:33filled with dresses.
34:34He hired someone
34:35to make two mannequin figures,
34:37one large and one small.
34:38The large one
34:39wore mom's pale lavender dress,
34:41and the small one
34:42wore a matching dress of mine.
34:44The two dresses
34:45were placed side by side
34:46in the center of the room,
34:47like a mother and daughter
34:48holding hands.
34:49From now on,
34:51we'll still make new clothes
34:52every month.
34:53I'll make them for you
34:54and for your mother.
34:55He really did as he said.
34:57On the first weekend
34:58of every month,
34:59he would spend the whole day
35:00in his studio.
35:01Sometimes I went in
35:02and saw him sketching designs
35:04or marking lines on fabric.
35:05Once he asked me,
35:07holding a piece of light blue
35:08fabric in his hand.
35:09How about this one?
35:10It's beautiful.
35:12He held the fabric
35:13up to the light.
35:15Your mother liked blue,
35:17but she looked best in purple.
35:19I didn't ask him how he knew.
35:21I knew he remembered
35:22everything about mom.
35:23The new school was great,
35:25and the classmates
35:26were all friendly.
35:27The teacher knew
35:28about my situation
35:29and took special care of me.
35:31Dad enrolled me
35:32in piano and art classes,
35:33saying mom used to play
35:34the piano very well.
35:36If you want to learn,
35:37learn.
35:38If you don't,
35:39then don't.
35:40Don't feel pressure.
35:42I chose art.
35:43I wanted to draw mom,
35:45draw dad,
35:45and draw the three of us together.
35:49The first time I showed
35:50my drawing to dad,
35:51he looked at it
35:52for a long time.
35:53In the drawing,
35:54the three of us stood
35:55hand in hand
35:56under the starry sky.
35:57Mom wore a pale lavender dress,
35:59dad wore a suit,
36:00and I wore my little dress.
36:02It's really well done.
36:03He had the drawing framed
36:05and hung it in the study.
36:06Winter arrived,
36:07my birthday was in December,
36:08and in the past,
36:10mom always cooked
36:10a plate of pasta for me
36:12with two eggs.
36:13This year,
36:14dad asked me early
36:15how I wanted to celebrate.
36:16Just like before is fine,
36:18on my birthday,
36:19he really cooked pasta.
36:21The pasta was a bit mushy,
36:23and the eggs were broken,
36:24but I enjoyed it very much.
36:26He also ordered a cake
36:27with the words,
36:28Happy birthday,
36:29Desi,
36:30mom and dad love you.
36:31When blowing out the candles,
36:32I made a wish.
36:33I hoped mom could see us
36:35as we were now.
36:37Before Christmas,
36:39dad took me shopping for gifts.
36:40We bought a wool sweater
36:42for Joanna,
36:43a pen for the teacher,
36:44and prepared little cards
36:45for my classmates.
36:46On the way home,
36:47we passed a toy store,
36:49and in the window
36:49was a very large teddy bear.
36:51I glanced at it a little longer.
36:53The next morning,
36:55that teddy bear appeared
36:56beside my bed.
36:57The card read,
36:58From dad and mom.
37:01I hugged the bear
37:02and went to find dad.
37:03He was frying eggs
37:05in the kitchen,
37:06his apron tied crookly.
37:07Thank you dad,
37:08he corrected me
37:09and flipped the egg.
37:10And your mom,
37:12she would definitely
37:13want to give you a gift too.
37:15I nodded and hugged
37:16the bear even tighter.
37:17On New Year's Eve,
37:18we made tortellini.
37:19Dad couldn't make them well,
37:21and the tortellini he made
37:22were all oddly shaped.
37:24I couldn't make them well either,
37:26but we laughed a lot.
37:27The New Year's Eve live
37:28was on TV,
37:29and occasionally
37:30the sound of fireworks
37:31came from outside the window.
37:33At midnight,
37:34when the clock struck twelve,
37:35dad raised his glass.
37:37Happy New Year, Desi.
37:38I raised my juice.
37:40Happy New Year, Dad.
37:42He looked out the window.
37:44Happy New Year, Rosa.
37:46Suddenly,
37:47a firework burst
37:48in the night sky outside,
37:49golden and very.
37:50In spring,
37:51dad planted lavender
37:52in the garden,
37:53mom's favorite.
37:54He said that
37:55when the flowers bloomed,
37:56it would look like
37:57a sea of purple.
37:58I helped water them,
37:59though I often spilled water
38:01on my own feet.
38:02On a weekend in April,
38:04dad took me to see the sea.
38:06Mom had mentioned in her letters
38:07that they once spent
38:08their happiest times
38:09by the sea.
38:10The sand was soft,
38:11and the sea was very blue.
38:13I took off my shoes
38:14and waded in the water
38:15while dad watched
38:16from the shore.
38:17The wind lifted his hair
38:19and he squinted,
38:20gazing at the distant horizon.
38:23Did mom come here?
38:25Yes,
38:25right over there.
38:26He pointed to a reef.
38:28She sat there,
38:29and I drew her
38:30all afternoon.
38:32Is the drawing still here?
38:33Yes,
38:34I'll show you
38:34when we get home.
38:35After we got home,
38:36he really found
38:37that drawing.
38:38In the drawing,
38:39mom looked very young,
38:40sitting on the reef,
38:41her dress lifted
38:42by the sea breeze
38:43smiling brightly.
38:44The paper had yellowed,
38:45but the colors
38:46were still vivid.
38:47It's really well done.
38:49Because your mother
38:50was beautiful.
38:51He said softly.
38:52Summer came
38:53and the lavender
38:53bloomed truly
38:54like a sea of purple.
38:56Dad picked a few flowers,
38:57put them in a vase,
38:58and placed them
38:59in front of mom's photo.
39:00My final grades
39:02were excellent
39:02and I received
39:03three certificates.
39:04Dad hung them together
39:06with my drawings,
39:07saying the study
39:07was about to become
39:08an exhibition hall.
39:10One night in July,
39:11the weather was very hot.
39:13Look,
39:14the big diaper.
39:15We cooled off
39:16on the balcony
39:16and dad pointed
39:17at the sky.
39:18I followed his direction
39:20and found those
39:20seven bright stars.
39:22Which one is mom?
39:24Dad thought for a moment,
39:25then pointed
39:25to the brightest one.
39:27That one.
39:28She will always
39:29be the brightest.
39:31I leaned in his arms,
39:32counting the stars.
39:34The wind blew,
39:35carrying the scent
39:36of lavender.
39:37Dad?
39:38Hmm?
39:39Do you miss mom?
39:40He was silent
39:41for a while,
39:42then gently wrapped
39:43his arm around me.
39:44Every day.
39:47Me too.
39:49We sat like that,
39:50watching the stars
39:51for a long time.
39:52Until I got sleepy,
39:53my eyes almost closing.
39:55Dad picked me up
39:56and carried me inside.
39:58My head rested
39:59on his shoulder
40:00and I murmured,
40:01Dad,
40:03I love you.
40:04Then I heard him
40:05say very softly,
40:07I love you too,
40:07Desi.
40:08In my dream,
40:09I saw mom.
40:10Mom loves you too.
40:11She wore a pale
40:12lavender dress,
40:13stood under the starry sky
40:14and waved at me
40:15with a smile.
40:16Dad stood beside me,
40:18holding my hand.
40:19The three of us
40:19were finally together again.
40:22Even if it was only
40:23in a dream,
40:24but it was enough.
40:25LAUGHTER
40:26MUSIChed
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