AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Both.” I eventually decide to go with that. “I’m not going anywhere for either of them.”
Carly stared at me for a moment. She is rather disconcerting despite her size. I’m trying not to squirm.
“I know that Elle is nervous about you being around,” she says quietly. “She doesn’t need to say it to make it clear. If you want anything to do with her beyond co-parenting, you are going to have to take it slow. Go at her pace.”
“It’s been six years, Carly. I think that’s slow enough.”
Carly frowns.
“If you don’t take it slow, she’s going to withdraw even more and you will miss your chance. You won’t get a second opportunity. Remember that when you go out there to see her.”
I will remember that. But taking things slow after not seeing her for six years doesn’t sit well with me. However, I’m determined to keep close by to see my daughter, and I want to also be close to Elle.
Take it slow. This is not going to be easy.
“Elle’s out in the garden with Amy,” Carly says. “They’re playing catch.”
“Catch?”
“Yes. Amy’s in the little league.” Carly looks amused. “You weren’t expecting that, were you?”
“I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“Elle played softball in high school. She’s been teaching Amy how to play.”
Elle is full of surprises. I’m curious to see this. A thump from upstairs makes me look up towards the ceiling.
“What about Ben?”
“You let me talk to him. I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you.” Carly points down the hall. “Off you go. You came here to see Amy, didn’t you?”
“Oh. Right.”
Still slightly stunned, I make my way through the house and onto the back porch. Elle and a little girl with light brown hair in a ponytail are throwing a softball back and forth. Both wear a glove on one hand. I stand there and watch. Elle is catching the ball easily, her movements certain and confident. Amy doesn’t flinch as she catches the ball in her glove, although her throwing is a little wonky and Elle has to chase the ball before starting again. But she does get it on target a little bit.
Not bad.
Amy then turns towards the house, and I get a proper look at her. She looks so much like her mother that it’s startling, but she had my hair color, and I can see that she has my eyes. Then when she smiles at me, I’m reminded of pictures that Mom showed me of when I was a kid. Even though we’ve never met before, she has exactly the same smile.
“Luke.” Elle falters, her confidence seeming to fade. “I didn’t think you were going to come.”
“I had a bit of a…conversation with Ben and Carly.”
Elle grunts.
“I can’t see Ben having a conversation with you.”
“Well, we somehow managed.”
“Mommy,” Amy speaks, “who’s this?”
Elle looks a little panicked. I step off the porch and approach Amy before going down on one knee to be at her eye-level. I give her a smile and hold out a hand.
“Hey, I’m Luke. I’m an old friend of your mother’s.”
Amy looks dubious. But she comes forward and shakes my hand. She has a surprisingly strong grip for a five-year-old. Then she drops my hand and steps back.
“Hi.”
