“Only if you value your eyebrows,” Marcus deadpanned. “The kitchen’s not actually in danger. Want coffee?”
“Always.”
Later tonight, he’d regret accepting the offer, but he needed the company of someone who understood what his life was like. His other friends tried to be supportive, but they were far too eager to tell him what an idiot Holly was, how much she was missing out on. Finn knew all that. Sometimes, he just needed to be around someone who understood how unhelpful those comments were.
Finn followed him to the kitchen, where Brooklyn and Isabel were hunched over a glass tank full of wires and plants.
“Dad, check this out.” Brooklyn waved him over. “It’s a self-sustaining ecosystem with automated sensors. We’re presenting it for the science fair.”
“Impressive,” Finn said, genuinely. “You two built this?”
Isabel nodded. “Mr. Wilson said we might actually have a shot at regionals.”
Brooklyn shrugged, but her eyes shone. “It’s not that big a deal. But it’s cool.”
“Are you kidding? Be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Both of you.”
Finn gave Brooklyn’s shoulder a gentle squeeze on his way past. He knew better than to try for a hug or a kiss on the forehead these days. She wasfartoo old for that now.
Marcus handed Finn a mug, then leaned against the counter. “You’ve got a great kid, Finn. She’s a good influence on Isabel.”
Finn met Brooklyn’s eyes, catching the flicker of pride she tried to hide. “Thanks, Marcus. I think they’re good for each other.”
The girls started cleaning up, debating the best way to store their project so they could finish it another day. Finn sipped his coffee, letting normalcy settle around him. The warmth of the mug against his palms was grounding. He watched Brooklyn gesture animatedly as she insisted her storage idea was best, her expressions so much like his own that it sometimes startled him.
“So, Brooklyn mentioned Holly called?” Marcus asked quietly, his voice pitched just low enough to stay between them. “Shedidn’t seem too excited about the idea of going out of town with her mom.”
Finn’s jaw tightened, that familiar knot forming in his chest—part frustration, part bone-deep weariness. “Yeah. Brooklyn missed the call. She’s trying not to care, but—” He trailed off, glancing at his daughter. The careful way she held her shoulders told him everything her words wouldn’t. Seven years of this dance had taught him to read the signs. “I’ve never met someone who can try too hard and not put in the effort all at once.”
Marcus nodded. “It’s tough.”
“Sometimes I think it’d be easier if she just…” Finn didn’t finish the thought. Didn’t need to. The words hung there…If she just stayed away completely. If she just committed to being present. If she just made a decision one way or the other instead of this half-in, half-out approach that left Brooklyn constantly braced for disappointment.
“Yeah.” Marcus’s eyes drifted to Isabel, who was laughing at something Brooklyn said. “I have similar thoughts about Isabel’s mom. I shouldn’t wish she’d just go away, but it’s like she knows right when Isabel’s starting to do better, and then she drops in again, undoing the progress the therapist and I have made with her.”
There was understanding in Marcus’s expression that made Finn’s throat tighten. They’d both been left holding the pieces of broken families, trying to reshape them into something whole for their daughters. The solidarity in that shared experience was worth more than all the well-meaning advice from people who’d never had to navigate these waters.
Brooklyn appeared in the doorway, backpack slung over her shoulder. Her eyes met Finn’s, a silent question there. “Ready, Dad?”
“Yeah.” Finn set his mug down, the momentary peace of the kitchen already slipping away. “Thanks, Marcus. And thanks for letting Brooklyn come over.”
“Anytime. Have a good night, you two.”
As they walked to the car, Brooklyn launched into a rundown of their project. Finn listened, asking questions when she paused for breath. He loved these unguarded moments, words tumbling out faster than he could keep up.
“…and then Isabel figured out we could use the Arduino to regulate the water cycle, which is why we need the extra sensors, but Mr. Wilson thinks—” She stopped suddenly. “You’re actually listening, aren’t you?”
“Always am.” Finn glanced at her as he turned onto their street. “Why?”
She shrugged, looking out the window. “Most parents just nod and say ‘that’s nice.’”
“Well, I’m not most parents.” He pulled into the driveway. “And what you’re doingisactually interesting.”
Brooklyn rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re such a nerd, Dad.”
“Guilty as charged.”
When they got home, Brooklyn headed straight upstairs, calling, “I’ll be down in a sec, just need to do something.”
