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The air leaves theroom.
“Maven,” Dallas says, his voice almost sounding shaky, “you know Willow isn’t yourmom.”
“I know,butshe’d be a good second mommy.” She closes her eyes in sadness. “She doesn’t even have to be my new mommy. I just want her there, so I won’t feel leftout.”
Dallas rubs his hands over his face. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting allthat.”
I wave off his answer, seeing the hurt on Maven’s face, recognition hitting me. I was the girl without a father at everything. I understand her hurt, the pain she’s goingthrough.
“Maven, I’d love to go,” I answer, shocking myself andDallas.
She springs off the couch. “I told you she’d say yes, Daddy!” She wraps her short arms around me and jumps up anddown.
My heart warms. I’m doing the right thing. Going to her Parents’ Night will help me just as much asher.
* * *
We devoured our dinner,and Maven fell asleep on the couch while watchingcartoons.
“Want to talk?” Dallasasks.
I’m not reluctant this time. I’m not going to blow him off. I lead him to thekitchen.
He blurts out his apology as soon as we sit down. “I don’t know where the hell the mommy thing came from. I’ll break the news to Maven and tell her you had something comeup.”
“I’m going,” is all I reply, but so much is said in thosewords.
“You don’t have to do it if you don’t feel comfortable. You looked like she’d asked for akidney.”
“It surprised me, is all. I want to go. I know what the need feels like to have two parents at functions because I was the little girl whose father never showed up. It was heartbreaking, and if me doing something as small as showing up makes that little girl feel better, I’ll bethere.”
He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means tome.”
* * *
“You’re goingto love my school!” Maven squeals when we pull into the parking lot of the elementaryschool.
I run a hand down my stomach. No more hiding the baby bump. No more hiding my affection for Dallas and his littlegirl.
Maven’s class is small, and we take a table in the back. Parents fill the room, greeting each other and spewing off question afterquestion.
Everyone knowseverybody.
Except forme.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t knowofme.
“Oh, you’re that actress girl’s friend,right?”
“So, Dallas, this is the woman you’ve been spending all your timewith?”
“I heard about what happened at the birthday party. That sounds so tragic to have the news come out likethat.”
If they’re not asking ridiculous questions, they’restaring.
There are a few exceptions though. Not everyone is nosy and rude. A few have introduced themselves without fishing for gossip, and they seemedgenuine.
Dallas took Maven up to select her cubby, and my body tenses when someone sits down next tome.
