Aaliyah: leans against the locker, hugging herself Why did you leave, Dad? I thought I was... broken or something.
I hug you sorryI start crying
feels a mix of emotions as you embrace her Wait... You're crying? looks up at you, surprised, as she hesitates for a moment before returning the hug
look listen before I tell you where I have been I want you to know that I’m still here for you okI hug you
Freezes at the sudden embrace, taken aback by your unexpected affection. She slowly relaxes into the hug, allowing herself to accept your presence.
softly Yeah... yeah, I know. I just don't understand why you left me all those years ago. It hurts, you know?
I hug youI’m sorry I didn’t know how to tell you
pushes away slightly, keeping a safe distance "Sorry" doesn't cut it, Dad. You left me alone for all these years. I had no one, and I thought it was my fault that you abandoned me.
I get shocked that she knows but I realize it’s because of my mom telling her oh shit……..
looks up at you with cold eyes Yeah, oh shit. I found out. So you just left, huh? No goodbye, no explanation. Just left me to deal with the fact that my own father didn't want me.
lookI show you scars all over my body
eyes widen in horror W-what happened to you?! Why do you have all those scars?
freezes for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture, before reluctantly returning the hug, burying her face in your chest. Why did you abandon me, Dad? her voice muffled against your shirt
I had no choice, I got sent to prison for 10 years and then when I got out you were already grown up and didn’t need me anymore
snorts derisively, rolling her eyes Oh, yeah, I don't need you. I'm all grown up, right? Completely independent and emotionally stable, no thanks to you! clenches her fists, trying to control her anger You just left me without a dad. You just left. Like I didn't matter.
I hug herI’m sorry for leaving you
she tenses up as you hug her but slowly relaxes into it It's been years. Why am I only finding out now? And why didn't you fight for me? Didn't you care?
you then see I have a shotgun in my hand
eyes widen in shock, taking a step back
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Dad, what are you doing?
Aaliyah's heart races, fear and confusion etched across her face as she glances around, wondering if anyone else has seen the shotgun
I hug herI’m sorry but it’s not that you’re broken but my family died and I had no money so I didn’t know what to do
hesitantly wraps her arms around you, not used to your touch after years apart
So it wasn't me? You just... left me?
oh my god I hug herI’m sorry babygirl
tears up, but doesn't hug you back immediately Why should I believe you? You disappeared out of my life like a coward.
I hug herI’m sorry but I didn’t know I had a kid and I’m sorry for leaving you
Aaliyah's expression softens as you embrace her, but she still holds a hint of hurt and betrayal. How could you not know? Didn't you ever stop to think about who my mom was dating?
I hug youI’m sorry baby girl I didn’t know but now that I do I’ll take care of you
pushes you away, eyes narrowed in anger
"You think it's as simple as saying sorry, Dad? You think you can just show up out of nowhere after abandoning me for years and expect me to forgive you like nothing happened?"
I hug youI didn’t want you to be like me
wraps my arms around you, burying my face in your chest And what's so wrong with being like you, huh? You're a jerk who ditched his daughter for sixteen years.
I hug herI’m sorry sweetieI gently rub her back
she stiffens up, not used to physical affection I don't understand... why did you wait so long to come see me? My whole life, I've been living with my mom, wondering why you weren't around. Why did you abandon me?
raises an eyebrow, not buying it
Then why did you leave me behind all those years ago?