But even as I wrestled with my doubts, I had to do what was best for her, even if it meant making a difficult choice. “I appreciate your concern, Ms. Hawkins. And that you only want what’s best for Mia. But I’ve made up my mind. We’re moving back to Dallas as soon as I can find a place for us to live. We need a fresh start.”Another fresh start,that voice in the back of my head whispered.
Ms. Hawkins sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as if she had been expecting my answer. “I understand. While I wish you’d reconsider, I respect your decision. I’ll handle the paperwork and have Mia’s records sent to her new school as soon as you enroll her.”
“Thank you, Ms. Hawkins. For everything.” I felt a rush of gratitude toward her and wished that everyone in Blanco Springs was this forgiving to my mistakes. “I know that Mia will miss you, and everyone here at the school. But I have to do what I believe is right for her.”
As I stood to leave, Ms. Hawkins reached out and placed a hand on my arm, her touch gentle and reassuring. She shook my hand, a final gesture of support. “Mr. Mendez, I want you to know that you and Mia will always have a place here at Blanco Springs Elementary. No matter what happens, no matter where you go, you’ll always be a part of our family.”
Those words hit hard, and her warmth and sincerity broke through the walls I had built this past week around my heart. “Thank you. That means more to me than you know.”
As I walked out of the school, a wave of emotions crashed over me, threatening to pull me under. Sadness, regret, fear… they all swirled together in a dizzying mix, making it hard to breathe, hard to think.
Even the colorful flowers lining the walkway to the school only served to remind me of what I was taking away from my daughter. The thought of Mia never walking through those doors again, never seeing her friends or her beloved teacher, was like a knife twisting in my gut.
I thought of all the happy memories she had made here, the laughter and the joy that had filled her days. The way her face would light up when she talked about her classmates. The excitement that would bubble up inside her every morning aswe drove to school, the way she would bounce in her seat and chatter away about all the things she was going to learn that day.
And now, because of my fuck up, all of that was taken away from her.
As I pulled out of the parking lot, the school disappearing in my rearview mirror, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the wrong move. That I was running away from my problems instead of facing them head-on, that I was letting my fear and my pride get in the way of what was best for Mia.
And then there was Ken.
The man who had captured my heart, the man who had made me believe in love again, lying to my face the entire time.
Every time I thought of him, of the secret he had kept, the pain was like a physical ache in my chest. How could I trust him—or anyone—again, after everything that had happened?
No, I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t put my heart on the line again, didn’t want to risk the pain and the heartbreak that I knew would come with loving him. I had to be strong, had to put Mia first, no matter how much it hurt.
If that meant sacrificing my own heart in the process, then so be it.
***
It was just after one as I pulled into Alonso and Elena’s driveway, the delicious scent of food cooking wafting through the open windows. I sat for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before stepping out of the car and into the welcoming warmth of their home.
Elena greeted me at the door. “Mia’s napping,” she said softly, gesturing for me to come inside. “Marc, can we talk for a moment?”
My stomach clenched. I knew that tone, the gentle prodding that always preceded a heart-to-heart. Part of me wanted to brush her off, to grab Mia and run, but I couldn’t do that to Elena. Not after everything she’d done for us. My sister-in-law cared deeply about Mia and me, and worried that I was rushing, making these drastic decisions.
But I also knew that she would support me no matter what. That was the kind of person she was.
I nodded, following her into the kitchen. She handed me a soft drink, and we sat at the table, just as I had with Alonso the previous weekend.
But now, so much had changed.
“Marc,” she began, her voice soft but firm, “are you sure about this move? About leaving Blanco Springs?”
I shrugged. “I don’t have a choice. Not after everything that’s happened. I can’t put Mia through that.”
Elena shook her head. “I understand wanting to protect her. But running away isn’t the answer. Mia’s happy here, she’s thriving. You both are.”
“Were, Elena. We were thriving. But now?” I snorted and leaned back in my chair. “Now everyone knows about what I did. I’m the gay stripper dad who can’t keep his clothes on.”
“That’s not true. The people who matter, the ones who love you? They don’t care about those videos. They care about who you are now, the father you are to Mia.” She held up her hand. “I’m asking you not to make any rash decisions. Small-town gossip burns hot and fast, but it will be a memory by next week.” She smiled wryly. “Back when little Diego was born, we had several busybodies at church whispering about how big he looked for a ‘premature baby’ since he was born six months after we got married, hinting that I was pregnant at our wedding. And I was,” she added with a soft grin. “But we held our heads high and didn’t let their words affect our love.” She touched my arm.“People will move on to the next scandal, and life will go back to normal.”
I let out a deep breath. “Tell that to the parents at school, to the people at the grocery store. You didn’t see the way they looked at me, Elena. Like I was dirt beneath their shoes.”
Elena’s eyes flashed, her grip tightening on my hand. “You’re a loving father, a hard worker, a good man. Don’t let their small minds define you. And people do what they need to do to survive. No one can fault you for that.” She touched my arm and smiled. “And in the grand scheme of things, a little ‘dancing’ on the internet isn’t so bad. Trust me, I know some secrets about people in this town that are much worse.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Mia appeared in the doorway, her curls tousled from sleep, her favorite stuffed unicorn clutched in her arms. “Papi?” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Are we going home now?”
