The teacher’s exasperation spilled out in a sigh. “Are you on your way to get Matilda?” The woman was a gem with children, but she had limited patience for parents. Still, there was a sharper bite to her voice than usual. “We finished almost half an hour ago. I need to close up.”
The thump of dance music and the women laughing on the treadmills next to me were so loud I couldn’t organize my thoughts. Why was the playgroup teacher callingmeabout pickup? Tonight was Daddy Daughter Wednesday—just like it had been every other Wednesday for the last six weeks.
“Isn’t my husband there?” I asked.
“No.”
“But…”
Frowning, I glanced at my watch. It was almost five o’clock. Where the hell was Jeremy? His last appointment would’ve been scheduled at two. Forty-five minutes to coach a person through their problems. Fifteen minutes to waste chatting to his receptionist about billing and tomorrow’s schedule. A ten-minute drive across town…
I could dash to the grocery store, have dinner in the oven, and wrangle Matilda from the bath and into her pajamas in under an hour. Jeremy should’ve walked past the painted fairies guarding the playgroup room doors no later than four o’clock.
“I tried calling Dr. Easten first,” the teacher said, “but I can’t keep waiting. How long will it take you to get here?”
I flung my towel over my shoulder. “I’m just down the road.” My sneakers squeaked as I raced to the lockers faster than I’d jogged on the treadmill. “Five minutes. Tell Til I’m coming.”
So much for proving my commitment to Jeremy. I’d spent more time signing up for the membership fob hanging off my keychain than breaking a sweat. He couldn’t blame me for giving up on this fitness crap after ten minutes if it was his fault…right?
I burst out of the gym into the crush of office workers choking the sidewalk. There was no point heading to the parking lot. Running down the block to the library would be quicker than battling Melbourne’s rush hour.
I glanced at my phone as I darted between dreary suits and briefcases. My message from that morning was the last contact I had with Jeremy.
Erin
I left your lunch in the fridge. Chicken salad on whole wheat. I know you said you’re watching your macros, but I promise the chocolate cake is healthy. It’s a vegan recipe I found online.
Have a great day xxo
Jeremy never responded. No “thank you” or “I love you.”
I dialed his number.
No answer.
Something had to be wrong. There was no way he could have forgotten. Wednesday nights were for Jeremy and Matilda to spend time together. It had been his idea. I caught up on housework, and they got milkshakes and manicures. My little girl adored being pampered. Her “manicure” was a sugar scrub and a coat of clear glitter polish, but Jeremy lounged back and enjoyed the full service, even though he scoffed when his friends commented on his nails.
“The horrors I endure for my girls,” he’d laugh.
I redialed Jeremy’s number.
Still no answer.
Fear pushed me through the crowd with shaky, uneven steps. The crosswalk blinked red, but I didn’t stop. The traffic wouldhave to wait for me. Darting looks between my phone, the road, and the sea of suits, I dictated a new message to Jeremy.
Erin
You ok? The playgroup teacher called and said you haven’t picked up Til. Please call.
Still nothing.
My palm pressed against the glass door of the library. I was inside, the shelves of picture books whizzing past. I tripped around the tables, already cleared of art supplies and puzzles, and waved frantically to Matilda’s teacher.
“Sorry!” I cried. “I’m so sorry!”
I didn’t want to see the teacher’s sympathetic smile or to imagine how much she was judging my marriage—or worse,me. I headed straight for Matilda. She was strapping a baby doll into a pink stroller, but her singing paused when she heard feet pounding closer. There was no cheeky grin for me. She swiped at her nose and took a big breath that hiked her tiny shoulders up to her ears.
The twisting in my chest was almost unbearable. Her daddy should never be the one to crush her spirit. He was the one man she should always be able to rely on. What would make this easier and protect her little heart?
