Page 111 of Every Now and Then
“I miss you, too, but I’ll be back in town for the album release party tomorrow.”
“We’re all looking forward to your visit. The girls even made you a welcome home sign. Act surprised when you see it.”
“I will. That’s sweet of them. I can’t wait to see it. And them. And you. I wish y’all were here with me.”
Even though she and the girls have only been to the ranch once, it feels like they’ve embedded themselves in this place. When I walk into the ranch house, I expect to find Annabelle cooking up a storm in the kitchen and to hear the high-pitched sounds of little voices ringing out. When I look out at the pond, I can picture the girls with their Barbie fishing poles shrieking in excitement when they feel something nibbling their lines. And when I walk into the bedroom after a long day, I want nothing more than to find Annabelle lying in the bed waiting for me.
But maybe the truth isn’t that Annabelle, Grace, and Claire have embedded themselves into this place. Maybe it’s that they’ve embedded themselves into my heart and now I can’t imagine a life without them in it.
“Us, too. We all miss you.”
“Think they’d be comfortable with me staying at the condo for an extra day or two after the party so we couldall hang out?”
“I think they’d love that, but Hayes, I’ll be at work,” she gently reminds me, though I’m not sure why.
“Yeah, so? We can spend Sunday together, and then come Monday, I can be on chauffeur duty, carting the kids to and from school, so you don’t have to worry about it." When she doesn't respond, I ask, "You don’t trust me to watch them?”
“No, that’s not it at all.” Annabelle hesitates. “I just… I don’t know. I figured you’d want time to relax after the album launches, not take care of two kids.”
“Annabelle, I miss those girls almost as much as I miss you. I want to spend time with them."
“Really?” She sounds so shocked that it makes me smile.
“Yes, really. Why are you so surprised?”
She pauses, and I sit with the silence until she explains, “Kyle played the part of the doting father in public, but… he didn’t actually spend much time with the girls. So, when you want to spend your free time with them… it’s unexpected. It’s wonderful, but I’m still getting used to it, that’s all.”
Growing up without a dad is a burden I know well, and it's one I don’t want Grace and Claire to bear. I want to be there for them, to shower them with the fatherly love and attention I would have loved to have received as a child, to make those memories with them, and to be their biggest champion. I want to show up on the sidelines of their sporting events and sit in the first row of their dance recitals. I want to pick them up when they fall and wipe away their tears when they get their hearts broken for the first time. I want to celebrate every success they achieve and provide encouragement when they fail. I want to be there to sing them happy birthday and watch them open Christmas presents. I want it all.
So, hearing that Kyle had those opportunities but chose not to take advantage of them… it riles me up and makes my dedication to Grace and Claire even fiercer.
Though I didn’t know him well, Kyle presented himself as a devoted family man. He proudly displayed photos of his wife and kids around his office, and he often talked about them like they were his whole world. But the more I learn about him from Annabelle, the more it seems like that was just a carefully crafted persona, a mask he wore so people would think well of him.
In truth, I think he was a selfish, arrogant man who cared more about his image than the people who loved him. I know Ishouldbe more forgiving because he was clearly battling demons and dealing with his inner turmoil. But it makes me so damn angry that he abandoned Annabelle and the girls.
“Babe, you know the sayingblood is thicker than water?”
“Yes.”
“Well, the proverb that it’s based on actually saysthe blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. Meaning the ties we choose can be stronger than the ones we inherit. Kyle might’ve given them his DNA, but there isn’t a bone in my body that doesn’t love those girls as if they were mine.”
“I’m home! Where’s my welcome party?” I yell as I stroll off the elevator into the foyer of my condo.
Just as Annabelle said, the girls have hung up a homemade welcome banner across the ceiling of the foyer. A lot of fans have made signs for me before, but this one is by far my favorite.
Dropping my bags, I head off in search of my girls. All three of them.
“You goof!” Annabelle says as she strides out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “We’re coming. We were just finishing up something in the kitchen.” Grace and Claire pop out from behind their mother, wearing matching smiles.
“It’s a cake! We made you a cake!” Claire hollers.
Grace mutters, “It was supposed to be a surprise,” and casts a disapproving glance at her sister.
“It may sound silly, but I love the idea of coming home to you and the girls,” I murmur when I reach Annabelle. Cupping her cheek with my hand, I slide my other arm around her lower back, pulling her into me. All I want to do is kiss her senseless, but I don’t, since we have an audience. So, I settle for dropping a quick kiss onto her forehead.
Turning my attention from Annabelle to Grace, I see her standing with a wide smile on her impish face, watching me. I open my arms, and Annabelle steps back, making room for Grace. I sweep her up into my arms and twirl her around as she laughs. She’s got such a big personality in such a little body. The more time I've spent with her, the more open she is at accepting my affection, which makes me happy.
As soon as I set Grace down, I hear a banshee shriek and feel a heavy thud as Claire slams into my back, almost knocking me over. Her little hands wrap around my neck, choking me. But despite the lack of oxygen, I close my eyes and revel in the feeling of love that courses through my body.
