Chapter 3 - THE BUSINESS TRIP
Three days later, Claire announced she had to leave town.
“Two nights,” she said.
“Where?”
“Chicago.”
“For work?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
Lily was sitting at the dining table doing her homework.
The moment Claire said she would be gone, Lily stopped writing.
I noticed.
Claire did not.
“I’ll leave Friday morning,” she continued. “I’ll be back Sunday night.”
I looked at Lily.
She was staring at her worksheet.
“Do you want to stay with your aunt?”
Lily’s pencil snapped.
Claire turned.
“What?”
The little girl stared at the broken pencil in her hands.
“I said, do you want to stay with Aunt Rachel while I’m gone?”
Lily shook her head.
Claire looked at me.
“See? She wants to stay here.”
I wasn't sure that was what Lily wanted.
But I didn't argue.
Friday morning, Claire packed her suitcase.
Lily stood near the stairs.
Her face was pale.
I crouched beside her.
“Hey.”
She looked at me.
“Your mom will be back Sunday.”
She nodded.
“Do you want me to make pizza tonight?”
Another nod.
I smiled.
“Extra cheese?”
She nodded again.
For one moment, something almost normal passed between us.
Then Claire came downstairs.
Lily immediately moved away from me.
Claire noticed.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Ethan, can you put my suitcase in the car?”
“Sure.”
I carried it outside.
When I came back, Claire was kneeling in front of Lily.
I couldn't hear what she said.
But I saw Lily nod.
Then Claire stood.
“Take care of her.”
“I will.”
Claire kissed me.
Then she kissed Lily.
As she walked toward the car, Lily remained completely still.
I watched my wife drive away.
The house became quiet.
Too quiet.
I looked at Lily.
“Well,” I said. “Pizza?”
She nodded.
That evening, she ate more than usual.
She even smiled when I accidentally dropped cheese onto the floor.
“Five-second rule,” I said.
She giggled.
It was the first time I had heard her laugh in months.
I smiled.
“See? I’m not completely useless.”
She looked at me.
Then her smile disappeared.
“What?”
She lowered her eyes.
“Nothing.”
“Lily.”
She shook her head.
I didn't push.
Later, I helped her brush her hair.
She sat on the edge of her bed.
I stood behind her with the brush.
“Too hard?”
She shook her head.
“Too soft?”
She almost smiled.
“No.”
I continued brushing.
Then she whispered something.
“What?”
She looked at me in the mirror.
“I’m sorry.”
I stopped.
“For what?”
She didn't answer.
I turned her gently toward me.
“Lily, you don't have to apologize to me.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
I immediately stepped back.
She took a deep breath.
Then she reached for her backpack.
It was sitting beside her bed.
She pulled it onto her lap.
Her small fingers trembled as she opened the zipper.
“Lily?”
She looked at me.
Then she reached inside.
And pulled out something wrapped in a purple shirt.
She held it against her chest.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered the words that changed my life.
“Daddy…”
I froze.
She had never called me that before.
May you like
Her eyes lifted to mine.
“Daddy… look at this.”
