"Papa, was Martha crying? Her eyes looked red."
Azriel set her gently on his lap as he seated himself on he couch. He didn't reply. But simply stared at his daughter who resembled so much like her late mother.
"Did she?" He blurted out not realizing what he was about to say was not what he meant to say.
Yulia nodded.
"She felt a little sad...just like I do when I miss mama...a-and you and sister too!"
"You feel sad?" He asked the obvious while still trying to find words and courage to tell her the news.
"I feel sad...and lonely. Even when brother Rion and Martha are there...I feel sad. Because sister Sloane was kinder...and she promised to come back. She doesn't even write letters to me anymore. When she will come back-"
No longer able to bear hearing about Sloane being mentioned he interrupted her with the harsh reality.
"Sloane will never come back!" He raised his voice suddenly startling the child.
