I spent most of my time inside the treehouse at the bottom of the garden, which sits atop an oak tree. My dad and I built it together last summer. It took us two weeks to build, and those two weeks are the happiest of my life.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. The sun was shining in the sky, bathing the garden in beautiful light, and birds chirped their songs in the trees. Me and dad were stacking up the wood planks, as we got all the materials ready. Building the treehouse was dad’s idea, he wanted to help take my mind off the constant bullying I was being subjected to everyday in school, due to me having Down Syndrome.

People think I am stupid, they think I don’t understand things. All my life I have been targeted for my looks, or my mental capacity. Mum says she loves me, but she won’t even look me in the eyes. Whenever she looks at my face, she soon looks away again, and I catch a quick glimpse of the disgust on her face.

But dad sees me as a person, and I see him as the only friend I need in the whole wide world.

Those two weeks flew by so quickly, and when me and dad had finished the treehouse, he hugged me, as we both stood admiring it together.

“What do you think? Dad asked.

“I love it! Thank you daddy,” I replied, as I cuddled him tightly.

“No need to thank me, you did all the work. I just helped.”

I laid my head in dad’s chest, and said…

“We did it together.”

The treehouse became a safe haven, away from life’s troubles. If I ever felt sad I would go to the treehouse and sit in it for a while. It wouldn’t be long before dad climbed up to see me, with a big bag of Crispy M&M’s for us both to devour, as we talked for hours. And it was these little moments with dad, that I wished could last for an eternity. But mum called me inside, and dad kissed my forehead, before saying…

“I’ll see ya tomorrow morning kiddo. We can have M&M’s for breakfast.”

I woke up early the next morning, and rushed downstairs, excitedly. Mum was stirring her coffee in the kitchen. She spoke without even glancing in my direction…

“Do you want some breakfast?” Mum asked, in an uncaring, emotionless tone.

“No thank you mummy,” I replied.

“You have to eat something!” Mum said, still refusing to look at me.

“Daddy said we are having M&M’s for breakfast,” I replied, with a smile.

Mums face went pale, then she did something she never does. She looked me directly in the eyes, and said…

“Your father died before you were born!”