Everything That Matters

Darius

Laughter echoed through the hallway.

“Daddy! Daddy! You’re back!”

A small figure came running toward me at full speed.

I looked down just in time to see my daughter, her black hair bouncing wildly and her gray eyes shining with excitement, as she threw herself straight into my legs.

I could not stop the smile that appeared on my face as I bent down and lifted her into my arms. I was a