Page 98 of Sunshine
“Your face says it all,” I reply. “Just…leave it. I had a talk with Annalise tonight, and we’re going to make some changes. Formalize her visitation schedule. Start seeing a family therapist to help Izzy manage her feelings about…”
“About you and Annalise?”
I shake my head to reject the incoming fatigue. “There is no me and Annalise.”
Daisy hums, and I glare at her in return.
“But thereisa me and Izzy and Annalise, and there always will be. We’re her parents. We have to find a way to make this work.”
Daisy narrows her eyes, and I meet her stare until she throws up her hands. “Fine.”
“I need to get Izzy ready for bed, then I’m going over to see Annalise.”
“Dylan.” Daisy reaches for my hand and clutches it tightly. “Please stop doing this to yourself. Stop following her around like a puppy.”
“I’m not a fucking puppy,” I snap, harsher than I intend, but I’m suddenly feeling the weight of Izzy and Annalise and Poppy and Daisy. A weight that a week ago felt lighter than feathers.
Daisy flinches and releases my hand, and I drag it down my face with a regretful sigh. “It won’t take long. Is Charlie here? Can you sit with Izzy until I get back?”
“Charlie’s still at the office,” Daisy replies.
“Okay. Fine. Let me get Izzy sorted, and I’ll be back down in half an hour.”
Izzy already has her teeth brushed and her pajamas on when I step into her room. I switch out the light and turn on her little pink lamp, and when I tuck her in under the covers, she shifts to one side and pats the space next to her. “Come on, Daddy.”
I fold myself onto the bed and she snuggles in against me.
“Did you have a good day?” I intentionally go with a simple question that I hope won’t confuse her. I don’t want to force her to talk about her mother if she doesn’t want to. I also want her to know I’m here to listen.
“It was good.”
“That’s good.”
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Ethan has two mommies.”
Fuck me with the curve balls. I nod slowly to give myself a chance to think.
“I didn’t know that, but lots of kids have two mommies. Some kids have two daddies as well.”
“Mmhm. One of his mommies lives by herself in one house. His other mommy lives with his daddy in another house. He has his own bedroom in both houses, but he has to pack his clothes and his guitar when he goes from one bedroom to the other. He says everyone buys him lots of toys.”
Oh. My head leaps from how best to explain diverse families to how best to explain divorce. In the end, I decide to let Izzy ask questions so I can figure out exactly where she’s going with this. Last thing I need to do is make a complicated subject even more confusing.
“It sounds like Ethan trusts you with big feelings, Little Bee. He’s lucky to have you as his friend.”
Izzy shrugs like I’ve completely missed her point. “Could I have two mommies?”
“Could you—” I clear my throat and wipe the frown off my face. “You want two mommies?”
“Mmhm. You could ask Poppy to be my other mommy, couldn’t you? Or maybe I can do it. I think she’d say yes. She saysI love youevery day, and I always say it back. That’s what mommies do, isn’t it?”
I blink back tears and fight to find my voice. “I—”
Izzy tips her head back with a noisy yawn. “I don’t have any words left, so I’m going to sleep now. Okay, Daddy?”
