Chapter 13 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO STOPPED CALLING HIM DADDY
Lucy was harder.
She was eight now.
Almost nine.
She had grown taller.
Her hair was longer.
And she no longer ran toward Daniel when she saw him.
Their first meeting took place at a family center.
Lucy sat beside Joanna.
Holding a stuffed horse.
Daniel smiled.
“Hey, princess.”
Lucy looked at him.
“Hi, Daniel.”
His heart stopped.
Daniel.
Not Daddy.
He swallowed.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
She looked down.
He sat across from her.
“I brought you something.”
He held out a small gift bag.
Inside was a stuffed unicorn.
Lucy stared at it.
Then looked at Joanna.
“Mommy, can I put it in my bag?”
Joanna nodded.
“Of course.”
Lucy placed it away without opening the packaging.
Daniel felt something break inside him.
He had bought the toy because he remembered her loving unicorns.
But that had been two years ago.
His daughter had changed.
And he hadn't been there to notice.
After a while, Lucy asked:
“Are you going to leave again?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I'm staying nearby.”
She looked at him.
“You said that before.”
He closed his eyes.
“I know.”
She hugged her stuffed horse.
“Mommy says promises are things you do.”
Daniel looked at Joanna.
She said nothing.
He turned back to Lucy.
“She's right.”
Lucy studied him.
Then asked:
“Can we just play a game?”
Daniel nodded.
“Of course.”
They played cards for twenty minutes.
Lucy laughed once.
May you like
Just once.
But Daniel remembered that sound all the way home.
