I stood under the mistletoe and prayed to Santa's angel. Mommy told me that whatever you wished on this special holiday always came true.

“Dear Santa, please bring daddy back from the war. Love Katie.”

Mommy smiled at me and I knew daddy was on his way. Our family was going to be complete in a few hours.

The doorbell rang and I ran to greet my gift, my father. Instead I found a man with a letter in his hands.

The solemn expression on his face couldn't fool the five year old me.

Daddy was never coming back.