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Natalie: You spoil her.
Mac: She deserves it.
I didn’t hear from Natalie after that, and Delaney was eager to get to school and play with her friends. I had a feeling it was less of a dance and more of a social event after listening to her talk. We stood in line to sign in, and I wondered if I was the only “special friend” here.
After we registered, we got in line for official pictures. The theme was Under the Sea, and the entire gym was decorated with silver and gold fish. The decorations sparkled with the overhead lights. The DJ was playing familiar music, and a group of kids were hanging out in the middle of the dance floor.
“I see my friends,” Delaney said, and then she was off.
Another dad moved closer to me. “We’re just the chauffeurs.”
“Yeah?” I asked, feeling a little uncomfortable because I wasn’t her real dad. I hadn’t thought about needing to speak to other parents.
“First time?” he asked me.
“That’s right.” I held my hand out to him. “Mac.”
“Chad. Mine is the one in the frilly pink dress.”
To avoid telling him she wasn’t mine, I said, “Delaney’s wearing the white-and-purple dress with the corsage.”
Chad smiled. “Oh, nice touch. I thought you said it was your first time?”
I chuckled along with him. “I just wanted to make it special for her.”
“It’s my daughter’s favorite event all year, even if all I do is hold her stuff,” he said, lifting a small pink sweater. “Sometimes she mixes it up and tells me to stand in line for the picture station.” He pointed to the photo booth where there was a line of dads.
“You stand in line while she has fun with her friends?” I asked him.
Chad nodded. “Now you’re getting it.”
I let out a breath, looking around at the dads standing on the outskirts of the action and the girls running around the dance floor, talking and laughing and screaming if a good song came on. I worried that Delaney would forget I was there, but she came over to grab my hand. “Can we do the photos?”
“Sure. We can do whatever you want. It’s your night.”
She pulled me over to the line, and I waved good-bye to Chad. We took serious and silly pictures and waited for the string of photos to print out before heading to the food and drink table. I helped Delaney fill a plate and her glass and took it to one of the many tables in the corner.
I couldn’t help but think this was what I’d always wanted. Kids, a family, soccer on Saturdays, and dances on Friday nights. I wanted it all.
Then I thought about holding Natalie in my arms and kissing her. I wanted more. It was probably reckless, but I wanted to pursue this thing with Natalie and Delaney, even if it didn’t work out.
No matter what happened, I’d stay friends with Delaney. I’d never walk away from her. Not like her father had. I tried not to think about what would happen if Natalie didn’t allow it. The old fear reared its head again, and I tapped my fingers on the table.
“What’s wrong, Mac?” Delaney asked me as she popped another grape into her mouth.
“Nothing.”
“Are you thinking about my mom?”
I cleared my throat. “Why would I be thinking about her?”
“Because you like her?”
My mouth dropped open because I wasn’t even sure she knew what was going on between me and Natalie.
Delaney shrugged. “What? It’s not a big deal.”
It’s not a big deal? Was it that simple?
