My stomach tightens into a knot. The thought of Sarah growing up in a home with a father like that—it makes me feel ill. She hasn’t talked about it. Doesn’t really seem like she wants to. But even just the possibility makes me want to burn the world down just to keep her safe.
“Miles told me their dad was a deadbeat,” I say. “So that fits.”
“Daddy?”
All three of us turn to see Charlie standing in the garage doorway, her new glasses perched on her nose. Holly gives Theo and me a look, and we both understand our conversation is over. At least for now.
“What’s up, Char?” he asks.
“Is it time for me to go to my playdate with Poppy?”
Holly pauses, his face saying he has no idea what Charlie is talking about. “Right. Your playdate,” he says. “It might be. Let me text Anna really quick.”
Charlie nods. “I’m gonna go pack a snack. Can I take anextra Rice Krispies Treat for Poppy? And another one for Olive? Okay, good, thanks!”
She runs away before he can answer, probably on purpose. Charlie is absolutely crafty enough to turn silence into permission.
“I can’t take her to Anna’s,” Holly says, staring at his calendar app. “A guy is coming to fix the water heater. I have a four-hour window when I’m not supposed to leave the house.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t even have a playdate on the calendar.”
“Are you sure she didn’t make it up?” I ask. “Or…remember it wrong, maybe?”
He stares at his phone for another few seconds. “No, it’s in my texts with Anna. Since they’re out of school, she set it up. I just forgot.” He breathes out a frustrated sigh. “All I do is forget stuff.”
“Let me drive her over,” I say. “I need to see Sarah about something anyway. I’ll just take her with me.”
Holly nods. “Yeah, that would be good. I’ve rescheduled the plumber twice because of team stuff, and we haven’t had hot water for almost a week.”
“Dude. What are you doing without hot water?” Theo asks.
Suddenly, I feel bad that we’ve been spending all this time talking about me when we clearly need to be talking about Holly. Most of the time, he seems like he’s doing okay. But when stuff like this happens, I’m reminded of just how much he’s trying to juggle on his own.
He shrugs. “Taking cold showers? I warm up water on the stove to add to Charlie’s bathtub.”
“Definitely don’t leave your house,” I say. “You gotta get that fixed. I’ll take care of Charlie thisafternoon.”
“Are you forgetting you’re also my ride?” Theo says.
I shoot him a look. “What else do you have to do?”
Theo frowns. “Not go to a playdate,” he grumbles.
Charlie comes back into the garage, a pink backpack tucked over her shoulders. “I’m ready,” she says.
“What did you pack?” Holly asks. “Can I see?”
She stops in front of him and spins, and he unzips her bag. “Charlotte, is this the entire box of Rice Krispies Treats?”
“Yep,” she says without a shred of hesitation.
Holly nods, then slowly zips the bag closed again. “Right. Good sharing,” he says. “Are your glassesalsoin the bag?”
Charlie studies her dad. “Possibly,” she says slowly.
“Charlie,” he says, and her eyes turn pleading.
“I lost them, Daddy. I promise. I have no idea what happened to them.”
“In the five minutes since you were out here last?”
