The stranger had been coming around more often

He told her to call him daddy.

Later that night he threw her room door open

He slurred “Happy Birthday Baby Girl!”

Throws her to floor; locking the door behind him

Unable to scream

She thinks “Daddy, why are you touching me this way?”

Hadn’t anyone told you?

Today is my birthday.

Years later, her “daddy” is asleep

She hovers over his bed with a gun

Staring down at the man who caused her so much pain

It was her turn,

The positions had switched. She was in control

She leaned over and whispered in his ear;

“I was only 8.”