Daddy, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well sweetheart...what’s yours?

I hate spiders, daddy. I hate spiders. They can bite and crawl and on top of that they can be poisonous.

What if one is in our house? Daddy, what if one is in my room? Save me Daddy! Hold me Daddy. Tuck me in.

I was 7 years old.

Dad, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well, sweetheart...what’s yours?

I hate the dark, dad. I hate the dark. Someone told me a horror story where Bloody Mary will kill you...but only when it’s dark. What if she is under my bed? What if I forget to keep on a light? Save me dad. Protect me dad. Stay awake until I’m fast asleep.

I was 10 years old.

Dad, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well, sweetheart...what’s yours?

Getting bullied, Dad. Getting bullied.

Someone at school today pinched my cheeks. Someone else told me not to eat. 

What if I believe them? What if I lose confidence in myself? What if I’m lost? Help me Dad. Talk me through this Dad. Don’t let me believe what they say dad.

I was 12 years old.

Dad, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well, sweetheart...what’s yours?

I hate social media, dad. I hate social media.

My phone is screaming at me to be a model instead of becoming a role model.

What if my fake smile becomes real? What If I loathe the way I feel? 

Heal me Dad. Take my phone away Dad. No wait...I need it back Dad.

I was 14 years old.

Dad, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well, sweetheart...what’s yours?

I fear people, Dad. I fear people.

People made those towers fall, people make each other feel so small, people are telling all these lies, people bleed toxic cries, it is people who keep making fun, people who carry guns, people who are trying to hide, people who force others to keep inside, people who create the muse, people who choose to abuse. 

Save me dad. Hold me dad. But don’t tell me things are not this bad.  

I am 16 years old.

Dad, what was your biggest fear as a kid?

Well, sweetheart...on Halloween we were told to look out for the one guy who would put a razor blade in an apple.