Page 22 of The Love Syllabus

“I’m sorry, it’s my ex.” She says. “He’s been calling non-stop since Saturday night. I promise to keep my phone on silent.”

A sharp pang of jealousy shoots through me. Is he trying to rekindle their old flame? Are they still involved? Or is he just another possessive asshole who can’t let go? The distressed look on her face stirs a deep unease in me, awakening a protective instinct. I don’t like seeing her like this. I don’t like that his shadow still lingers over her, that it still affects her though they’re no longer together.

Pushing aside my swirling thoughts, I reach for the door handle to my daughter Ariel’s room with a hesitant hand. I’m hit by a wave of nerves—not just for me, but for what this introduction could mean for my girls, especially Ari, who’s already dealing with so much, a budding pre-teen on the verge of entering middle school in just a few years. She’s so full of life, yet her challenges are a constant reminder of the fragility of happiness in such a cold, cruel world. She needs positivity, reinforcement, and support. She needs someone who sees her as the bright, powerful girl she is, not someone defined by her disability.

I take a deep breath and push the door open, and Ariel looks up.

She’s momentarily flustered when she notices Kerry. “Dad, I’m not ready!” She screams, quickly adjusting her prosthetic leg. Her cheeks flush with insecurity and embarrassment.

I open my mouth to reassure her, but Kerry beats me to it, easing her embarrassment with a light joke that makes even Sydney, my youngest, chuckle. “I’m thirty-five, and my dad still barges into my room.”

Ari stares, but my youngest, Syd, however, chuckles, “You’re funny, and you’re wearing pink! I like you already.”

“And you are?” Kerry asks, playing along.

“Sydney, but everyone calls me Syd.” She replies.

Then suddenly, the weekend misunderstanding over the phone call clicks into place for Kerry. She turns to me with an apologetic glance, and I just wave it off with a nod.

She may have misread the situation before, but she’s reading the room perfectly now. And then, she does something that completely blindsides me. She kneels in front of Ari.

“Let’s make sure this fits just right.” She says, her voice gentle yet firm. She helps Ari adjust her prosthetic leg, not making a big deal of it, just quietly showing up in the way my daughter needs.

I watch as Kerry pulls something out of her bag—a small box filled with colorful gemstones.

“I heard you like to bedazzle things,” She says with a warm smile. “How about we do some arts and crafts together?”

Ari gasps. Her whole face lights up. “Yes! I’ve been wanting to bedazzle my leg for months, but Dad kept buying me the wrong gems.” She eyes the ones Kerry brought, her excitement overflowing. “These are exactly what I wanted. Dad, she’s awesome!”

I blink, caught completely off guard by how effortlessly Kerry won her over. “She is,” I exhale, watching Kerry with a mixture of relief and admiration. “She really is.” I clear my throat, shaking off the unexpected emotion. “Girls, this is Kerry. She’s going to help you with your schoolwork today. So, please focus, and try not to have too much fun.”

Ari and Syd beam at Kerry, and then Syd teases, “Too much fun? Impossible. Actually, Ms. Kind, maybe you can teach Dad how to have more fun. All he does is work,” She lowers her voice like she’s telling a secret, except not low enough. “Well, not all the time. He went out the other night for the first time in forever and came back smiling like Tickle Me Elmo. I think he’s got a girlfriend or somethin’.”

Kerry bursts into laughter.

I groan. “Syd, I swear—”

But the damage is done. The girls are giggling uncontrollably, and Kerry, to her credit, plays along like a pro.

“Okay, girls,” She says, raising a brow at me before turning back to them. “Let’s leave your old Dad alone and get to work. We have a lot to do today, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am!” They say in unison.

“Oh, before we begin,” She then pulls out a pink and purple pillow. “Ari, your grandmother told me you like to prop your leg up when you learn, so last night, I crocheted this support pillow. I hope you like it.”

The gesture nearly brings Ariel to tears. No one has ever taken such care to understand her needs. Ari stares at it. Her lip trembles. For a split second, I think she might cry. Instead, she lunges forward and hugs Kerry tight.

“Thank you.” She whispers.

I exhale sharply, something tight settling in my chest.

“And what about me, Ms. Kind?” Sydney chimes in, not wanting to be left out.

“I definitely can’t forget about you,” Kerry responds, pulling out a set of utensils. “Your grandmother told me you’re as colorful as you are beautiful, so I designed these feather, scented pens just for you.”

Syd’s jaw drops. She and Ari inhale deeply, their faces lighting up with pure delight as they take in the different scents.

“Ooh!” Ari gasps.

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