Page 43 of Like A Daydream
“We just wanted to let you know that my parents are moving back from Berlin,” Erick says, pouring himself a glass of water. “Temporarily, apparently.”
“They want to take Harper,” Danielle says, sitting in her chair heavily. She’s been meaning to submit adoption paperwork to her lawyer’s office, but hasn’t had the time.
If they think they’re taking Harper, they’ve got another thing coming.
She slides each of them a cup.
“That’s been their goal since you showed them the letter,” Erick says, pouring himself some water. “They’re going to do what they can to get her.”
“She’s not a piece of property,” Danielle says.
“We know,” her father says, “but that’s not going to stop them. You know how ruthless Erick’s parents can be.”
“I remember you being right there with them when I was in high school,” Danielle says, raising a brow.
“People change, Danielle,” her mother says, gently. “We didn’t always do right by you, but we’re trying, and we wanted you to know about Erick’s parents.”
“When are they coming back?” Danielle asks, looking up at Erick for the first time. He’s white as a sheet, and clutching his water with a vice-like grip.
He and his parents had never seen eye-to-eye when he was growing up, unsure of why he would waste medical school to become an ER doctor, and less than impressed that he hadn’t found a wife yet. Emerson had been their pride, the child they could throw their lot in with, and it had caused a lot of hurt in their house.
Danielle’s parents had been part of Emerson’s parent’s crew, smothering Danielle in expectations while also giving her anything she could possibly want. Creating a monster that was equal parts depressed and entitled.
Danielle had spent a lot of time in therapy trying to sort through it all, and by the time she had finally confronted her parents about it, they were ready to change for her sake.
“Two weeks,” Erick says, voice barely above a whisper. His parents had not been as open to correction as Danielle’s had been. “They had to close their house and are expecting to stay with me.”
“At least you’re staying at Emerson and Jack’s,” Danielle says. “You can give them the key to your place instead, that way you can give them space.”
“And have them in my apartment?” Erick asks with a snort. “No thanks. I know I’m not there right now but at some point, I will be. I’d rather not have to have a priest come exorcise demons from my space when I move back.”
“We also have room,” Danielle’s mom says, squeezing Erick’s hand gently, “that way it keeps them out of both places. They don’t need to be teased with Emerson and Jack’s house.”
“I just don’t know what it’s going to prove,” he says, shaking his head, standing up. “Them coming back, I mean. Also, if you want to have any adult time, you’d better do it before they get here. They’re already building a report to take to lawyers.”
“Just what I needed to hear,” Danielle sighs.
“And be careful introducing anyone new,” her father says, “they’re going to look at consistency and twist whatever details they can to get Harper.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking with this Andrew Fisher character,” her mother throws in, “but now isn’t the best time to start anything. Especially with this.”
In other words, she’s going to have to go with her head, not her heart. Even though her heart desperately wants to start to fall.
“Could you possibly watch Harper on Saturday night?” Danielle asks. “I swear I don’t have anything planned, I just need a night to think, and process what all of this means.”
“Of course,” her mom says, “we’re here to help you with Harper any time. It’s our job as your parents.”
Andrew drops Harper off at six, after having her for almost the entire afternoon. If it had been anyone else, Danielle would have been chomping at the bit to get Harper back, especially after the conversation she’d had with her parents and Erick, but this was Andrew.
She trusted him.
And when Harper had jumped down from his truck, massive smile on her face, and run up the sidewalk to Danielle, she’d known that her trust hadn’t been misplaced.
“Did you have fun, Sparrow?” Danielle asks as Harper flings her arms around Danielle’s waist.
“We got ice cream, and then went to the park!” Harper says, excited, as Andrew stops in front of the porch steps.
He smiles sheepishly, and runs a hand over the back of his neck.
