Squirrels hurried from tree to tree, scampering up the trunks and along the branches. A few evergreens stood tall and full of lush green needles, but most trees had long lost their leaves. A brisk gust of wind blew, and Serena tucked her arms inside her sweatshirt.
She drew a long breath. “You know how when you used to ask about your father, I would tell you not until you’re older?”
“Yes.” Cecily stopped in her tracks. “Are you finally going to tell me?”
“If you’re sure you want to know.” Her pulse quickened, and she wished for a minute she could take back all she’d done and said.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Cecily’s face contorted with confusion.
“You might hate me, but please know now, I always did what I thought was best for you.”
“I could never hate you, but you’re worrying me.”
She picked at a fingernail, searching inwardly for strength. “Your father is in town and wants to meet you.”
“Wait, why now, after all this time?” Cecily propped a hand on her hip. “I want to know about him, but he clearly wanted nothing to do with me so why should I meet him?”
“That’s not how it is.”Dear God, help me. “The reason he never came around before is because he didn’t know about you.”
Cecily shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
Serena ran a hand over her hair and pressed a fist against her cheek as she fought to decide how to proceed. Making the tale as appropriate for a pre-teen as possible, she told Cecily what had happened. “Don’t blame your father, honey. Be mad at me if you want but give him a chance.”
For a long time, Cecily didn’t say anything. When she first opened her mouth no words came out, but she broke into tears. Serena wrapped her arms around her daughter. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.”
Eventually, Cecily’s tears stopped. “I’ve always wanted a dad, and come to find out, I had one all along. I want to be mad at you, Mama, but I can’t.”
When her daughter slipped into the term of endearment reserved for the most tender moments, Serena lost her battle not to cry. She didn’t deserve to have such an amazing daughter, but God must have looked out for her after all. “I understand if you are.”
“You have always been there for me whenever I needed anything and have sacrificed for yourself to give me what I wanted.” Cecily sniffed. “Selfishness isn’t in your vocabulary, so if you hid me from my father, I know you did what you thought was best.”
Her daughter’s wisdom and maturity blew her away. “Do you want to meet him?”
“Yes.” A hesitant smile tugged at Cecily’s mouth. “Is he really here in town?”
She nodded. “Only for a few weeks. He’s in the army and is on leave.”
Stars sparkled in Cecily’s eyes. “He’s a soldier? My dad is a hero?”
Serena grinned to herself. “You could say that.”
“When can I meet him?”
“I have to call him, but I’m sure if you said today, he would make it happen.”
“Please, Mama, call him. I want to know him.” She looked so hopeful that there was no way Serena could deny her.
“Let’s go home, and I’ll call him from there.”
“All right.” She took off in a sprint then called over her shoulder, “First one to the car does dishes for a week.”
Serena hung back, letting Cecily win. Taking over her daughter’s chore for the week was the least she could do in light of all that had happened. She looked to the sky, admired its deep blue shade. For the first time in two decades she started to believe in a God who showed mercy and grace.
She jogged to catch up with Cecily who had stopped at the path’s beginning. “You win.”
“You didn’t even try.” Grinning, Cecily elbowed her. “You’re still doing the dishes for a week.”
“I can handle that.” She looped an arm through Cecily’s. “Are you really okay with all this?”
