By Adriana Gonzalez-Ibarra, Staff Writer 

I remember when I was 9

Asking my mom, "is dad coming to pick us up today" with a hopeful smile on my tiny face

"I don't know mija he hasn't called me" causing that smile to fade within a second 

I was 9 

It was a no call no show once again 

This is the third time this month 

"Why don't you want to see me, dad",  is what I thought thinking he didn't love us anymore 

I was 9 when you left me