“Her father left,” Melissa said. She hadn’t planned to say it, but the words came out anyway, loosened by the darkness and the quiet. “After the divorce, or, well, before it was even finalized. He moved to Seattle for a new job—or that’s what he told everyone. Really it was because his girlfriend wanted to move.” She heard the bitterness in her own voice and didn’t try to soften it. “He was supposed to see Lila every other weekend. Then it became once a month. Now we’re at twice a year. When I suggested he take her over the summer, he never even responded.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He liked the idea of being a father. The photos, the Christmas cards, telling colleagues about his daughter’s accomplishments. But the actual work of it—the school pickups, the bedtime routines, the patience it takes to raise a small human—” Melissa shook her head. “He wasn’t interested. Even before the divorce, Lila learned not to expect much from him.”
June was quiet, listening.
“I thought about other options this summer,” Melissa continued, surprising herself. “Summer camps, enrichment programs. She could have done all of it. She’s capable, she’s independent, she would have been fine.” She paused. “But she’s seven and she’s already spent so much of her life beingfine. Sitting quietly in corners while adults do important things. I didn’t want to give her another summer of that.”
“So you hired a live-in nanny.”
“I hired someone who would actually be present. Who would make her feel like she mattered, not just like she was being managed.” Melissa’s throat tightened. “I thought I could make up for Michael. Be both parents. But I don’t know how to—” She stopped, aware that she was saying too much, revealing too much to someone who was, after all, an employee. “I’m sorry. You didn’t sign up to be my therapist.”
“I signed up to take care of Lila. Part of that is understanding her family.” June pulled her feet up onto the couch, tucking them beneath her, looking too much like she belonged there. “And for what it’s worth, she adores you. She talks about you constantly. ‘My mom does this, my mom knows that.’ You’re her hero.”
“I’m not anyone’s hero.”
“You are to her.” June’s voice was soft. “You just have to let her see you. The real you, not the senator. Kids know the difference.”
Melissa turned to look at her. June’s eyes caught the faint glow from the windows. Twenty-three years old, but there was something steady in her gaze. Something knowing.
“How did you figure out so much about children?” Melissa asked.
“I don’t know, I just… they’ve always been easy to me. Like, they’re human, just without so much of the baggage.”
“Hmh,” Melissa said. “I’ve always more seen them like they’re from a different world. Even Lila, wonderful as she is. I don’t… understand her.”
June regarded her. “Perhaps don’t focus on understanding her. Just… take an interest in her.” She winced. “I’m not saying you don’t, just that perhaps focus less on what you feel and more on her.”
Melissa could take it as criticism, but looking at June’s soft expression, it didn’t feel like it. It felt like June wanted to help her. After a few moments of letting June’s words sink in, she nodded.
“I’ll take it under consideration,” she said.
June came to her feet. “I should leave you alone, I didn’t mean to disturb.”
“You didn’t,” Melissa said. “It was a welcome distraction.”
June smiled. “Anytime you want to listen to my babbling, I’m here.” She paused in the doorway, looking back. “She really doesn’t need you to be perfect. She just needs you to be there.”
She disappeared down the hall, and Melissa sat alone in the dark living room, thinking about presence and attention and all the ways she’d failed to show up for her daughter.
She thought about Catherine Aldridge, about admiration and hands and feelings she’d never let herself name.
Then she thought about the way June’s eyes had caught the light.
Perhaps focus less on what you feel and more on her.
Maybe it was that simple.
Melissa didn’t believe it. But sitting in the darkness, listening to the quiet sounds of a house that finally felt like someone lived in it, she wanted to.
For the first time in a long time, she wanted to try.
Chapter 6
The Lake
June
