Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tear roll down his cheek. “Yet there’s one thing you have to know, and I should’ve told you more. I am going to miss you like crazy. It won’t be easy for me to be away from you; honest to God, it won’t. You were always my sunshine, not to mention my rainbow child. My life would never be the same if it weren’t for you,” he murmured softly. “Don’t be afraid to cry,” I half hissed, half cooed. “For I’m not,” I said. My eyes were flooding too, more than his. “Real men aren’t afraid to cry when something happens, especially in a time like this,” I spoke up. My voice was solid and strong, and I did not recognize it. “They’re not afraid to sing songs that they made up about stuff that matters to them, like faith and love and family. They’re not scared of giving hugs where hugs are needed. They’re not afraid to wear pink,” I emphasized, refering to the pink shirt my dad had on. “Essie, you think about things a lot…I’ll be fine. What I want is for you to be okay,” he whispered.