Chapter 8 - THE FATHER WHO BECAME A STRANGER
The last time Daniel spoke to Lucy before returning home, she was eight.
He called on a Sunday evening.
Joanna answered.
“Hello?”
“Can I talk to the kids?”
She hesitated.
“Owen's at a friend's house. Lucy's here.”
“Put her on.”
A moment later, Lucy answered.
“Hello?”
Daniel smiled.
“Hey, princess!”
Silence.
“Lucy?”
“Hi, Dad.”
He frowned.
“You sound so grown up.”
“I'm eight.”
“I know.”
He laughed.
“Do you still like unicorns?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
“I like horses now.”
“Right.”
He searched for something else.
“How's school?”
“Fine.”
“Are you being good for Mommy?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then Daniel asked:
“Do you miss me?”
Lucy didn't answer immediately.
Finally, she said:
“Sometimes.”
His chest tightened.
“Sometimes?”
She sounded confused.
“Am I supposed to miss you all the time?”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“No, sweetheart.”
Lucy continued.
“I used to wait by the window.”
He couldn't speak.
“But Mommy said I don't have to anymore.”
Daniel swallowed.
“Lucy—”
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Are you coming for my birthday?”
He hesitated.
“When is it again?”
Silence.
Then Lucy whispered:
“Never mind.”
The call ended shortly afterward.
Daniel sat alone in his apartment.
He stared at the phone.
Then opened his calendar.
May you like
And realized he had forgotten his daughter's birthday.
Again.
