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“Yep, okay.” She gives me an awkward wave before I turn and grip the door handle. “Jimmy, wait.”
I stop and turn to face her, halfway out the door. “What’s up?”
“I was thinking that maybe next weekend we should tell Monica that you’re her father. Maybe we can figure out what we want to say after she goes to bed Friday night and then Saturday you can stay for dinner after I get back from work and we can tell her together.”
Excitement bubbles inside me as though I’m six years old and someone just said Christmas is coming early. Quickly, the excitement wars with nerves. How will Monica take the news? Will she be excited to know who her father is, and will she like the idea of it being me?
“I’m nervous. Are you nervous?”
A soft smile plays on her lips. “I am, but I think she’ll be happy about it. Still, it will be a big change for her… having her dad in her life.”
“I get it. It'll still take time to acclimate her to the new normal.”
Lilah looks down for a second then back at me. “It’s been a big change for all of us. Thanks for not pushing.”
I step closer to her. “I only want what’s best for her. I hope you know that.”
She nods. “I’m starting to believe that. Anyway, I’ll see you Friday. Have a good week.”
I inhale, nod, then turn and leave.
This time next week, Monica will know I’m her father.
I didn’t know about her until a month ago, but I can’t help feeling that all the pieces in my life are clicking into place.
Chapter Sixty
JIMMY
Adelaide is in her pajamas, sipping coffee on the couch and watching the news, when I arrive home shortly before lunchtime. It strikes me as odd, because she’s a get up, get dressed, get ready type of person. Not too much into lounging in your pajamas all day. Maybe she had too much to drink to last night.
I set down my bag at the entry of the room and hear from the TV that Bernie’s story is once again making the rounds. Everyone's speculating as to what other skeletons might come out of the closet in the coming weeks.
“Can you believe all this shit?” I ask, making my way over. I give her a chaste kiss on the lips when she looks up at me.
“It’s not entirely shocking, given his reputation in Hollywood.”
I sit beside her. “I guess, but they’re saying this is just the tip of the iceberg. We all knew the guy was a sleaze and had no respect for women, but this is something else entirely.”
She shrugs, her attention still on the screen. “How’s Lilah?”
The way she says her name with such venom takes me back, though maybe I should’ve expected it. She’s threatened by her.
“Fine. Monica, however, is amazing. She’s really taken to me. I can’t believe how much she already knows for being only five years old.”
“That’s great.” The words are positive, but her body language and tone are anything but.
Might as well get this over with.
“Lilah wants to tell Monica that I’m her father next weekend.” My heart speeds up from saying the words out loud. Soon my daughter will know who I am to her.
“You must be happy about that.” She shifts her body so that she’s half facing me.
“Of course I am. I mean, I’m nervous about how she’ll take the news, but this is what I’ve been waiting for.”
“When do I get to meet her?” She crosses her arms and tilts her head, her lips pressed into a thin line as though my answer will dictate her mood for the rest of the day.
“I’m not sure.” I squeeze her knee. “It’s a lot for her to adjust to, and she should probably get used to the idea of me being her father before she meets her new stepmom.”
