On my birth certificate, in the space for Father’s Name are five asterisks.

It looks like this: *****

That’s code for the man who “flew the coop,” never held me or fed me, never watched me sleep, never protected or disciplined, or gave loving advice like the fathers on TV.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.