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“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” Sammy tells me.
“Are you trying to get rid of me? I haven’t seen you all week.”
“Not at all. I just don’t want you to feel like you need to stay.”
“Samantha Riordan, I’m your father and I miss you. I’m going to the pool with you.”
“Cool.” She continues to send texts while I plate up our pancakes.
“Are Regan and Cameron going to be there today?”
“After lunch,” she says. “They’ve got church first.”
I nod my head. Sammy and I used to go to church when she was little, but somewhere down the line, we stopped. I always felt so busy with my work and her schedule that it was nice to sleep late one day a week. But now that we’ve left the city, it might be time to go back.
After we eat, we grab our gear and head out the door. Once we get to the pool, we claim our lounge chairs and get set up for a day in the sun. “Don’t forget to save a spot for Melissa,” Sammy tells me before running off to talk to someone she knows.
I settle into my chair before checking my emails. I want to find out if Beth has responded to my last one. After discovering she hasn’t, I scroll backward and scan through the entire thread.
I reread her letter about wanting to come back into Sammy’s life. I responded with the following.
Dear Beth,
While I appreciate your explanation about what has kept you away from me and our daughter, I find it difficult to simply throw open the door and welcome you back into our lives. Sammy has no memory of you. None. To allow you to meet her feels like a risk I’m not sure I can take.
Jamie
Jamie,
I understand how you feel, I really do, but you’re the one who reached out to me. You practically ordered me to explain myself. How can I do that if I don’t see Samantha?
Beth
Beth,
I think you and I should see each other first and lay down some guidelines.
Jamie
Jamie,
However you want to proceed is fine by me. I’ll follow whatever rules you set in place.
Beth
Beth,
What day are you arriving in Chicago?
Jamie
And just as I’m reading our old chain a new alert comes through.
Hi, Jamie,
I landed in Chicago this morning. I don’t start my job for another ten days, so I can meet you any time.
Beth
