Paul tried to put it in good light and made a joke about it, but all Serenia could see was the pain behind his eyes.
The jail was dull, and Paul didn't have anything to remind him of his daughter. Serenia looked around, feeling selfish for thinking only of herself during these hard times. She had to get her dad out. He was innocent, but no one saw him that way. Instead, they took away her only source of protection. Serenia nearly laughed and cried at the same time because of the irony.
She looked at the guards, and then at her dad, who was somehow able to smile despite his circumstances. He had always been the optimist of the family. "Don't worry about me, Serenia. I'll be fine. How is your home life?"
Serenia didn't have the heart to tell him that she didn't have much of a 'home life,' so she lied and said, "It's great. Child services put me in a good family."
Paul narrowed his eyes as he studied his daughter, "You've lost some weight."
Serenia lightly laughed, "You're one to talk."
Paul looked at her, "Do not lie to me...You, by the way, are a terrible liar."
Serenia nodded, "I will be okay, daddy," tears came to her eyes, "I will get you out of here, I promise."
Paul looked at her sadly, "Right now, that's not possible, but it sounds like you need me."
"Of course I need you. You're my father!" she yelled, maybe too loud.
Paul slowly nodded, "I know."
The bell rang, and a guard came in, yelling that visitation time was over.
Serenia wanted to stay and talk longer, but she stood up and grabbed her backpack as her father said that he loved her.
"I love you, too, daddy." she walked out of the building and looked at the jail from outside the fence. It looked like a zoo with a bunch of caged animals. Unfortunately, her dad ended up being one of them....