Chapter 13 - LEARNING TO TRUST AGAIN
The first few weeks were difficult.
Lily had good days.
And bad days.
Some mornings, she woke up happy.
Other mornings, she asked if I was still alive.
Every single time, I answered the same way.
"Yes, sweetheart."
"I'm right here."
I changed my schedule.
I spent more time with her.
I took her to school.
I cooked dinner.
I learned how to braid her hair.
It was not perfect.
She laughed the first time I tried.
"Daddy."
"You made my hair funny."
I smiled.
"I'm learning."
She touched my hand.
"That's okay."
"Mommy never learned."
That sentence hurt.
But I did not let her see my pain.
Children should not carry adult wounds.
One afternoon, we walked Buster through the park.
Lily held the leash proudly.
"He saved me."
I looked at the dog.
"Yes, he did."
She hugged him.
"He's my hero."
I smiled.
"He is mine too."
That night, Emily called.
For a moment, I almost ignored it.
But I answered.
"I want to see Lily."
I was quiet.
"Are you ready to do what is best for her?"
Emily started crying.
"Yes."
"Even if that means accepting she might not forgive me."
That was the first honest thing she had said in months.
Slowly, carefully...
We started rebuilding.
Not a marriage.
Not yet.
May you like
Maybe not ever.
But a way for Lily to have two parents who put her first.
