"Y'know, Dad, I don't think I want to join Indian Princess this year." After all, she reasoned to herself, she was a Big Girl now. If her sister wasn't going to join, then why should she? It wouldn't be half as fun anyway.

She did not know, indeed, could not have known until many years later, that this simple statement was the beginning. Between daughter and father, it was the first of many small betrayals. Though each could feel their heart breaking, neither recognized it.

He was no longer, and would never again be, the most important man in her life.

She did not realize until many, many years later that she could never again be a princess.