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“You’re smart. I know you’ll make the right decision.”
I let out a breath. “Thanks, Dad.”
My parents’ support meant the world to me. When Gary stepped back and eventually moved out of state for a job, they were my lifeline.
Dad moved to the ladder and hung the lights on the edge of the roof.
“I’m seeing him again tonight. He invited us to the farm. Each brother has a cabin on the property. I haven’t seen them all because each one is private. But Knox’s is gorgeous. It’s rustic and charming, yet so open and airy. You’ll die when you see the deck. It’s like being up in the trees.”
“That sounds amazing,” Mom said, knowing how much I wanted a deck.
“His brother, Sebastian, has a daughter named Ember, who is in Addy’s class. So, they play together.”
“He sounds nice. Are you going to bring him by so we can meet him?”
“At some point. I think we’re taking things slowly but enjoying spending time with each other.”
“It’s good that he likes Addy,” Dad said.
“It would be a deal breaker if he didn’t.”
“Speaking of, will Gary visit for the holidays?” Mom fed the strands to Dad as he moved the ladder a few feet along the porch.
I sighed, my chest tightening. “I’m not sure yet. I need to reach out to him.”
“I don’t know what the right thing to do is in this situation. Parenting is more than providing financial support.”
“I appreciate that he does pay child support. I know many don’t. But it would be nice if Addy were a priority for him. The thing is, I can’t control or change him. He is who he is. Even though I know it bothers Addy.”
“And it bothers you because you don’t want your daughter to be hurt. To feel looked over and rejected by her father,” Dad said.
It made me wonder that if I met someone, if things with Knox worked out, would he become that father figure for her? Is that what I wanted?
Grace returned with a mug of hot apple cider and goldfish for Addy, effectively ending the conversation about Gary. No one talked about him unless Addy brought him up, which almost never happened.
It wasn’t like he made nightly calls or made himself a presence in her life. He was as much as an afterthought for her as she was to him.
“I’m happy that you met someone. Even if he’s just a friend. It’s good for you to get out more. You work from home all the time,” Mom said.
“My social life is school and my virtual coworkers.” I blew air over my cider.
“That’s kind of sad,” Grace said. “Why don’t you come out for a girls’ night?”
“I have Addy.”
“Mom and Dad could watch her.”
“I know.” I didn’t like to take advantage of their goodwill. There were times when I needed them to help with doctor’s appointments and things at school. I wanted to save those favors for necessities, not so I could go out and have fun.
“We’d love to have a night to make cookies. I want to teach you how to make Grandma’s famous nut rolls.”
“Are you sure?” I asked her.
“Of course. I’d love a night with Addy.”
I let out a sigh. “All right.”
“Yay! We’ll have so much fun,” Grace said.
