“You have a lot of nerve—”
“No,” I interject. “You do. I was here for Elowyn. Where were you? Huh? Getting drunk at the bar?”
“I lost my wife,” he argues weakly.
“Yeah, so do a lot of other people. But they’re not using it as an excuse to check out of their lives or abandon another child.”
“I didn’t abandon you.”
“I’m glad you did,” I retort. “You disappointing me so early in life made me who I am.”
“A smartass.”
“If you’re done,” Mom interrupts. “His car is here.”
“Taya,” Dad sighs, “you’re looking good.”
“Go home,” Mom groans.
Somehow, I manage to get him in a car, make sure the address is correct, and send him on his way.
Then, I stand out on the sidewalk, rubbing my chest.
For years, there was this empty hole. A dad-shaped one.
Today, it hurts differently.
Not fresh. Healing.
I can’t explain it exactly, but I feel it.
“That was intense,” Mom says, startling me.
“You could say that again,” I laugh, though it feels fake.
“Elowyn is going to need us,” she says.
“I’m going to New York,” I remind her.
“I was talking about your grandparents and me,” she returns with an eye roll.
“I can stay—”
“You are not staying,” Mom roars. “You’re going to New York. I will take care of things here.”
“Aren’t you tired of taking care of the things Dad has abandoned?”
She sighs and wraps her arms around herself. “Your father is a complicated man. Incapable of loving anyone other than himself. You and Elowyn are not things, Wilder. You’re people—human and real.” She pauses and steps forward. “She is your sister. She’s half you. How in the world could I let her be alone now?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re the best mom in the world?”
“Stop sucking up,” she playfully teases.
“I would never.”
She hugs me, and for once, I let the day loosen its grip.
“Elowyn can stay with us, right?” I ask when Mom pulls away.
