04
Dad looked surprised when he saw me.
“Ashley?”
Looking at Dad, so different from what I
remembered, I thought, he still recognized
- me.
I was happy, excited.
“Dad…”
He nodded, pulled me up.
“Been wanting to see you, been busy. Didn’t
think my little Ashley would come find me.”
“What’s up? Kevin and Brittany are at
lessons, haven’t come home yet. You can
meet them. Oh, Brittany’s your Aunt Sarah’s
daughter, a month older than you.”
<
I looked down, didn’t say anything.
Dad didn’t know, I’d seen Brittany.
When they got back, I snuck over.
I saw Dad holding Brittany’s hand, dressed in
a pink ballet outfit, getting out of the car.
The girl kept saying “Daddy, Daddy.”
He answered every time.
Like real father and daughter.
I hated to admit it, but I was jealous.
I did nothing.
I watched the big house open.
L
A woman smiled.
The three of them went inside, holding hands.
The door slammed shut.
I finally moved my numb feet, walking home.
Now, months later.
I thought I’d forgotten how it felt that night.
But now, hearing Dad talking about Brittany’s
personality, what she liked, I felt bitter.
He was, my dad!
After all this time, why was he talking about
someone else’s daughter?
<
I cut him off.
“Dad, can you give me some money?”
“I’m starting school, Mom doesn’t have any
money…”
I couldn’t go on.
Head down, not looking at him.
Silence.
I felt his eyes on me, judging, something I
couldn’t read.
Shame flooded my face.
“Your mom sent you?”
く
I was about to shake my head, then he
sighed.
“How much?”
“Nine, nine hundred.”
I mumbled, not sure if he heard me.
“Wait here.”
I looked up, saw him walking toward the
beautiful house.
His new home with Kevin, my stepmom, and
Brittany.
He didn’t ask me to come in.
<
I squatted down, hugging my knees.
A few minutes later, Dad came out, handed
me a paper envelope.
“Here, hide it, don’t let anyone see.”
He patted my head.
Licked his lips, wanted to say something, then
hesitated.
“Go home, be safe on the way.”
He waved. “Come visit sometime.”
I nodded.
Walked away a bit.
く
Turned, wanted to see him again, but he was
gone.
The front door was shut.
