Part 1. "Little Flower"

Papa was a gentle heart. He worked long hours at the local factory to make just enough for his family. Fiona, always waited patiently for father to get home to read her a bed time story about Ireland. His stories always excited her. She always imagined herself as the warrior in the story. Her pa would laugh when she would start acting out like she was as ferocious as them. He would pat her head and smile before giving her a goodnight kiss.

When he was at work though, Fiona hated life. She greatly disliked the work of a woman. Clean this, clean that, help prepare dinner, and act like a lady. Her mother was always scolding her.

"You best be learnin' how ta' be a lady, girl. No man will be a wantin' yah otherwise!"

Fiona pretended to throw up at the thought. The only man for her was her father. No one could compare to this gentle giant, except maybe the men in his stories.

After so long Fiona's mother would give up trying to get her to help out around the house. So she sent her outside to play. Yet, even this would lead to trouble. The kids where they lived found Fiona to be ugly and worthless. She found their games dumb and too easy to play, but worst of all it was the constant spewing of how she was an ugly duckling. Her hair wasn't red like fire, they called it gross like blood. She weighed a bit much for a girl her age. So the kids would try and chase her around saying it was for her own good, so she would get skinnier. They would poke fun at how her face always looked like she was frowning.

Going home after all the bullying Fiona knew she had one thing to look forward to. Her pa would be there soon. His eyes always sparkled when he looked at her, his smile softened her mood, and his hug made her feel like no one could ever hurt her. When she walked in the door her parents were fighting, it was over her. She looked up at them and they both instantly stopped. Her pa came over and hugged her.

"I missed you my little flower!"

He said and then picked her up and put her down at the dinner table. Her mother was still clearly frustrated, but said no more on the matter. They all sat there in silence until her pa asked how her day was.

"Have fun playing with your friends?"

Fiona looked away from her father's cheerful face. His smile washed away and was replaced with a concerned look.

"They being mean to you again?"

Fiona shook her head no. She did not want her pa to worry, but she knew she had to say something to make him forget the matter.

"They play stupid games is all, pa'. I rather be playing one of the warriors in your stories!"

He chuckled and patted Fiona on the head. This comment made her mother disapprove, but before she could say it her father gave her mum a look that shut her down. Fiona wondered why did her pa end up with a woman like this. He was so loving and giving, while all she could do is complain. Yet, before she could think more about it her pa handed her something. Fiona looked up surprised while holding the napkin.

"Tis' just a little somethin' for my little flower."

He smiled proudly as Fiona unwrapped the surprise. There in the napkin lay a chocolate chip cookie. Her mother gasped and looked at her pa with anger. Yet, once again before she could say a thing he gave her a look to quiet her.

"I made an extra cent today! Who else to spend it on than our Fiona?"

Fiona jumped up from the table and hugged her pa happily. He knew that he had to show her that there is some happiness in the world somehow. A cookie or a small toy twice a year was all he could ever do, but he always spent his bonus on her. He knew that she rarely saw love or knew what happiness felt like if it wasn't for him.

"Now off to bed with ya'! I'll be there in a moment to tell ya' a new story!"

Fiona nodded vigorously and rushed off to bed to eat the cookie and wait for her story. A few moments later he pa entered her room and sat down on her bed. He gave a weak smile and then began the story. Yet, this time it was no story about a warrior or a great leader. This story was the story of the ugly duckling. He knew that he was not around enough to help his daughter see what all she could be, so he hoped this story would plant a seed in her mind.

The days went on, often the same as every other day. Her birthday was soon, she would be turning eight. She knew that she would get nothing except for two stories before going to sleep, but that was enough for her. Two stories was a gift of its own. He always seemed to have a new story whenever he told her the second one. Fiona wondered how he knew so many.

Rushing inside from "playing" with the other children, Fiona couldn't wait to see her pa. She knew his smiling face would be there waiting for her. She pushed the door open and ran in. She ran over to the dinner table, but all she heard was weeping. Fiona looked up and saw her ma at the table with her face in her hands, tears were streaming down her face.

Fiona started running around their small home screaming for her pa. She checked all four rooms and then ran back to her ma. 

"WHERE IS HE!?" 

She cried out. He was always home, always here, always ready to greet her with his warm smile. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

"MA'!? WHERE IS HE!?"

She screamed. Her mother broke away from her hands and looked at her daughter with a cold look of hatred.

"You...YOU always got all his love!"

Her mother stood up and towered over Fiona. She was unsure what was happening. Her thoughts and feelings were rushing through so quickly.

"Why couldn't I just have SOME of it!? I HATE YOU CHILD!"

Fiona didn't understand what was happening. She became scared and all she wanted was her pa. He would fix it. He would solve everything.

"WHERE IS PA!?"

She screamed out and then felt a ice cold slap across her face. It stung as she placed her small fingers over where she was hit. Fiona looked up at her mother with no words to say. The woman fell before her as if all her strength was gone. She crumbled to the ground and began to weep more. 

"Your pa' is dead."

The words rung throughout her mind. Her pa was dead? How? Why? It couldn't be! Fiona began to run around the house looking under everything. This couldn't be true she kept thinking. She ran outside and down the street towards his factory. She looked at everyone's faces. One of them had to be his!

Suddenly she felt a rough grip on her arm. She looked up to see her mother pulling her back to their home. Her grip was so tight, it was so rough, her arm began to hurt. She tried to break free, but it only made her ma hold tighter. Fiona cried, she cried out to let go, she cried because her father was gone, she cried because she didn't know what was happening. Then once they were back in their home her mother hugged her. This would be the only love she ever knew from her ma. The only time they ever seemed like mother and daughter.

"An accident happened at ta' factory. He isn't coming home, Fiona, ever."