“You don’t sound sure.”
“Then I’ll keep saying it until I do.”
I repaired furniture in the mornings, stocked shelves at night, and made deliveries on weekends.
Rachel helped with breakfast, Nathan with homework, and the younger children looked after Sophie.
One evening, Sophie asked, “Did Mommy leave because I cried too much?”
You don’t sound sure.
“Nothing you did made her leave, sweetheart.”
“Even when I was naughty?”
“Especially then.”
“Did Mom ask about us?” Rachel asked.
“Sometimes. I send her pictures.”
Nothing you did made her leave.
“Does she ever answer?”
“Not anymore.”
“Why don’t you tell her what you think?”
“Because you’ve already been hurt enough.”
“Dad, you need to move on. Find yourself a girlfriend. You deserve to be happy, too.”
I send her pictures.
“With seven kids? I’d need to put up a warning sign.”
“Dad!” Rachel laughed.
“I’m kidding, sweetheart. I’m happy right here with you.”
Still, I tried dating a few times. But once women heard I had seven children, they quickly lost interest.
I never remarried.
You’ve already been hurt enough.
Instead, I focused on my work, and the kids found ways to help.
“Dad, I’ll photograph your furniture,” Rachel offered.
“And I’ll build you a website,” Nathan added.
“Will that bring customers?”
“Only if your chairs stop looking haunted.”
They did. Eventually, I opened my own workshop.
I’m happy right here with you.
***
For every birthday, I made something special. For Sophie’s twelfth, I restored an old wooden desk she’d wanted for months.
“You’re still worried she won’t like it?” Rachel asked.
“She wanted a tablet, too. I couldn’t afford both.”
“Dad, she’s been talking about that desk for weeks.”
“But a tablet would’ve cost more.”
Eventually, I opened my own workshop.
“So? Since when does the price decide how special a gift is?”
I smiled. She had a point.
***
By the following evening, that tablet would be the least important thing in our house.
Sophie’s birthday barbecue was wonderful.
All seven children came home, along with her school friends and several neighbors.
I couldn’t afford both.
When she unwrapped the desk, she screamed.
“DAD! YOU FINISHED IT!”
“Unless you’d prefer another pair of socks.”
She hugged me so tightly I nearly fell backward. “This is better than the tablet!”
“You don’t have to say that.”
Sophie’s birthday barbecue was wonderful.
“I’m not saying it for you!”
“Can we put it in my room tonight?” Sophie asked.
“After the party.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
This is better than the tablet!
She grinned. “Then I’ll do my homework at it tomorrow. Even math.”
“Now that’s a serious compliment.”
Then someone knocked. I opened the front door.
Vanessa stood on the porch wearing a cream designer coat and enormous sunglasses.
Rob stood behind her holding several shopping bags. “Daniel! Surprise!”
I’ll do my homework at it tomorrow.
“How did you know about the party?”
“Rachel posted about it. I thought it was time for a reunion.”
“After ten years?”
“People change. Besides, everyone loves a good reunion story.”
“What do you want, Vanessa?”
Daniel! Surprise!
