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“Yeah, so?” He picked up a fish stick, swirled it through both sauces, and put it in his mouth. “Mmm, just like when I was a kid.”
“I don’t even know what to say.” Mommy giggled, holding her belly as she shook her head. She never laughed with anyone except me.
“Don’t all kids eat them like this?” He looked at me. “How do you like to eat fish sticks, Nova?”
“Um.” I felt too shy to talk to him. Instead, I reached for the bottles and squirted some of both on my plate. “Like this.” I picked up a fish stick and swirled it through tartar sauce and ketchup like I always did… like he did.
He grinned wide and winked. “That’s the best damn way to eat them.” He put another in his mouth. “Mmmm.”
“No, thank you. You both can eat them any way you want. I’ll stick with salad.” Mommy laughed more as she stared at Abe.
“That’s okay with me. More for us, right Nova?”
I bobbed my head and almost smiled.
“Your mom did a lot of talking a while ago. Is it okay if I say a few things?” Abe asked. He didn’t seem so scary or angry anymore.
I nodded, chewing my food.
“I want you to know I’m happy to finally meet you. I’m sorry I didn’t know about you sooner. But your mom stayed away from me because I hurt her. She took all the blame earlier because she’s an incredible woman, but it’s not all her fault. I want you to know we’re equally to blame.”
I scowled at him. “Did you hit her like Stein?” I darted my eyes at Mommy. She had told me Abe never hit her. Was she lying again?
“No, Nova. I never hit her and I never will,” he told me.
“He’s telling the truth, Nova.” Mommy put her hand on my arm. “Abe never treated me the way Stein did.”
“Then what did he do to hurt you?”
“I hurt her feelings. Made her cry a lot and she left. I didn’t know she was pregnant when she left.” Abe touched Mom’s arm softly. “I’ve already apologized to your mom, but I want you to know I’m incredibly sorry for what I did.”
“I don’t like it when people make my mommy sad and cry.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You’re a good girl, Nova.” He rubbed the side of his face. “I didn’t mean to make her sad. I loved her. I still love her.” He took my mom’s hand and kissed the top.
“Do you forgive him?” I asked my mom.
“Yes, baby. I forgive him. It was a big misunderstanding. He didn’t do what I thought he did.”
I didn’t understand, but I guess I didn’t have to. My mom made weird eyes at Abe, the kind the princesses made at the princes in the movies Sadie and I liked to watch. Maybe she loved him. I never heard her tell Stein she loved him. I didn’t think it was something grown-ups told each other, but Abe said he loved my mom.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, Nova?”
“Is Abe your boyfriend now?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Before your mom moved away, we were going to get married. I still want to marry her.”
“Abe, this isn’t the right time to discuss this. Not in front of her.”
“I want her to know my intentions. I want you to know too. I’m not going anywhere.” He looked at me. “I’m your dad, Nova. My family means everything to me. That means you and your mom. Do you understand?”
“I understand, I think.” My chest felt funny as I stared at him. He looked at me differently than Stein had.
“You can trust me, Nova. I will always protect you.” He dipped another fish stick into the dip. “Is there anything you want to ask me?”
“Mommy told me you have brothers and a sister.”
