Before I Closed My Eyes

The day I walked out of prison, my own daughter took me to court to legally sever all ties with me.

After I signed the papers in silence, she threw a check for eighty thousand dollars right in my face.

"Take this money and never show your face in front of me again!"

I quietly picked up the check and watched her luxury sports car speed off into the distance.

On the bus back, the overhead screen was broadcasting the morning news, featuring her as the brilliant co-founder of a booming tech startup.

Hunched in my seat, I let out a bitter, silent chuckle. She had made it after all.