“Are you feeling better?”
“Not really.”
I sigh. “I’m sorry I can’t be there tonight. Want to tell me what made you sad today?” I’m all about making sure she knows that she can tell me any thoughts or emotions she’s experiencing. I should probably take my own advice and talk to someone, but Presley is my focus right now.
"If my daddy didn't die like grandpa then why isn't mydaddy here? Doesn’t he love me? Did I do something wrong? Is that why he left?” Presley asks, her tears falling steadily.
God, I wish I could hug her, hold her right now. I need her to know how loved she is. How much I love her.
“Of course not, Presley. You did nothing wrong. I do know that your daddy loved you, and I don’t know why he left the way he did. It hurts, and I’m so sorry.”
My throat thickens, and I try to swallow down some of the emotion clogging it. “But I willneverleave you. Ever. I need you to know that.”
She turns her face away from the camera. I understand why she doesn’t believe me when the proof is right there that peopledoleave, but I don’t know how to get her to understand.
“Lennie has a daddy, but not a mommy. All my other friends at school have both. Why don’t we have both?” Her voice wobbles.
Looking up at the ceiling to try and stifle my own tears, and stop my lip from trembling, I reply, “I don’t know why Lennie doesn’t have a mom, but she has a daddy who loves her so much, like I love you. I love you, Presley. So, so much. I will do anything I can to make sure you are happy. I know this is so hard for you, but I’m here.”
Presley sniffles. “I love you too,” she murmurs. She has so many big emotions. “Can you come lay with me when you get here?”
“Of course,” I tell her, hoping she’s forgiven me at least a little bit.
“Do you have to go?” Presley asks.
“Not for another minute. The bride and groom are dancing, so I have time.” That makes her face light up. Presley is like me. She loves weddings.
“What does her dress look like?” she asks, eyes bright now.
I go into great detail describing the gorgeous dress the bride is wearing. I’m in my office, the door is wide open, so I’m not really paying attention when a figure appears in the doorway. I figure it’s probably Isaac or Megan, so I’m surprised when they don’t step over and say hi to Presley. Presley loves her Aunt Megan and Uncle Issac. I glance up after I’m finished telling her about the flowers, confused when it’s Jason standing there.
He’s not exactly glaring at me, but the look on his face isn’t exactly inviting. When he sees that I notice him, he steps in further.
“Who are you looking at, Mom?” Presley asks.
I stammer, clearing my throat. “Um, it’s Jason, Lennie’s dad.”
“Oh!” she exclaims, her excitement rising again. She asks him a question, even though she can’t see him. “Mr. Jason, can I play with Lennie again next week?”
Jason rounds my desk, coming up behind me. He leans down so he can look at my screen. “Hi, Presley, yes, you can. Your mom and I will get something organized.”
I try to ignore the way he smells—so clean and fresh—but I can’t. He’s in my space, his body heat mingling with mine, and I can’t stop the way my heart starts to pound.
Presley continues to talk to Jason, all while I try to ignore the thumping heat flowing through my veins at our proximity.
Jason listens as Presley talks animatedly. Presley says my name, and I’m brought back to the present.
“What honey?” I ask.
“Grandma says it’s time for dinner.”
“Oh,” I pause. “She’s right. I’ll come in when I get there,okay?” She nods, her earlier happy mood when talking to Jason dimming. She waves to him as he’s still behind me, and he waves back, standing to his full height and backing up. “I love you so much, Presley.”
“I love you too, Mom.” I blow her a kiss through the screen, and she blows one back, and then we’re hanging up. For a second, I forget Jason is still in the room. He clears his throat.
I sit up straighter in my desk chair, spinning it to face him. “Sorry about that. What’s up?” Heat flushes on my chest.
He furrows his brows. “Isaac wanted me to come grab you for something.” Jason doesn’t elaborate, and takes a step back toward the open door.
