Chapter 8 - THE FATHER WHO HAD TO LEARN
Dante began visiting Leo regularly under the agreed parenting arrangements.
At first, he was awkward.
He didn't know how to fasten the tiny buttons on Leo's clothes.
He panicked when Leo cried.
He once called Sofia because he couldn't figure out why the baby wouldn't stop fussing.
Sofia asked:
“Did you check his diaper?”
Dante went silent.
Then said:
“Oh.”
I laughed when she told me.
For the first time in weeks, I laughed without feeling guilty.
Dante was learning.
Slowly.
He attended pediatric appointments when permitted.
He learned Leo's feeding schedule.
He bought a crib for his new residence.
And he stopped sending expensive gifts as apologies.
Instead, he sent messages asking practical questions.
Does Leo need more diapers?
What size clothes is he wearing?
Can I help with his next appointment?
They were ordinary questions.
But ordinary was exactly what I had wanted from the beginning.
One evening, Dante brought Leo home after a visit.
Our son was asleep against his chest.
Dante looked at me.
“He smiled today.”
I smiled.
“He's been doing that.”
Dante laughed softly.
“I know. But today he smiled at me.”
His eyes filled.
I looked at Leo.
Then back at Dante.
May you like
“I'm glad.”
And I meant it.
