"Daddy," he said.
"Everyone has one. Did you think she was a miracle?"
He tore his gaze off Jacy gliding up and down the dead-end street, graceful as a dancer. At least something about those four years had paid off. She was smooth and long, knew how to find her balance, and took powerful strokes with her leg. Pushed her foot off the asphalt with the confidence that it would push back.
"Kind of." He laid his heavy, beautiful eyes on me. "Where is he?"
"Dead."
"There are no photos. Anywhere."
I shrugged, trying to remember how to swallow and how not to cry. "It hurts too much. She has one in her room."
"You should have trusted me more. You could have told me."
"I'm surprised she didn't."
"High school sweethearts?"
"More like Toddler Time sweethearts."
"How old was she?" He looked back out at Jacy. She was on his board, and it suited her, heavier and leaner, so unlike the cheap plastic board she was still rocking. I thought about his offer again, resolving myself to take it.
"Seven months."
He was quiet for a long time, watching her, before he said, "At least he got to hold her."
I stomach dropped. This was always the worst part, ruining someone alongside me. "No, I was seven months pregnant with her."
"And you thought she was a boy."
He looked really sad.
"You can give her that skateboard. The one you mentioned. Only under the complete understanding that you'll never get rid of her for the rest of your natural life. She'll bug you forever."
"I kind of like that idea."
AN
Hadley deletes lots of commas and giggles with me on the phone for hours.
Best friend and beta, all in one.
Thank you for reading!
xo
HB