She jumps to the ground with an exuberance that’s contagious and with none of the fairy-like characteristics I’d dreamed of. Nope, I can see myself at that age. Long dark hair, a little on the chubby side, but bursting with life.
And oh, my is that girl a chatterbox with her commenting on everything from the minute she hits the sidewalk until we meet at the bottom of the front steps.
Again, this is something I can relate to, even if these days I’m more reserved.
Tyler crouches down next to her, with Zoe suddenly having come across all shy. “Zoe, I’d like you to meet Lily. She’s a good friend of mine.”
I am? Until he’d introduced me to his daughter, I hadn’t given thought to how he’d do so, more worried about whether he’d like my outfit. I can definitely cope with ‘good friend’.
I take her hand solemnly in welcome before scooting down to her level. “Hello Zoe, I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Although she starts by shaking my hand, she soon throws herself at me, her arms wrapped tight around my neck. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Lily. I love your dress.” She pulls away briefly, before adding, “And your house. It’s lovely.”
I have to fight the tears that want to envelop me in response to this little bundle of joy holding me tight. As I look at Tyler over Zoe’s shoulder, there’s no stopping my grin. “See, I told you it was a lovely house. Your daughter even agrees with me.”
He bursts out laughing. “Uh oh, you two have just met and you’re already ganging up on me? I’ll have to be on my best behavior today.” The wink that follows says he’d rather be misbehaving.
TYLER
Zoe pulls away from Lily, her face a picture of concern. It’s something Lily spots immediately.
“He’s kidding, sweetheart. We’re not ganging up on your daddy. We just like something that he doesn’t, and that’s okay.”
My daughter doesn’t look convinced, reaching out to take my hand as though worried she’s somehow let me down. I eventually have to stand and swing her around to rid her of her worries.
“Come on, ladies. Let’s go check out some fishies.”
“And mermaids, you promised mermaids!” Zoe skips ahead of us as we walk down the front path to my truck.
On arrival at the aquarium, Zoe has told Lily most of what there is to know about me, my mother, and Zoe herself. My constant requests for her to sit quietly and look for whales had been a waste of breath.
Once Zoe starts, there’s no shutting her up.
And yet, I’m pleased, too, because she only chats this much when she’s comfortable with someone. Her hugging Lily like she had was perhaps a surprise for all of us.
When I think back on it, I can’t remember seeing her hug anyone else like that. Only my mom and I. Could it be my daughter senses something about Lily that I don’t?
My little girl, once freed from her car seat, bounces next to the truck, eager to get inside. “Come on, Daddy! I don’t want to miss the mermaids!” This comes as no surprise, with her talking of nothing else in recent days. I also know the Little Mermaid off by heart, being forced to read the blasted story every night this week.
Lily, rather than laughing as I am, stands wide-eyed. “They’ve actually got mermaids?” Next thing I know, she’s got the shoulder strap of her purse cross-wise over her boobs and has taken hold of Zoe’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
The pair look ready to make a run for it.
I’m not sure if she’s asking me, or my daughter, but it’s Zoe who answers with a squeal of the type designed to damage the hearing.
“EEEEEEEE, I’m so excited! Daddy says they’re not real. But he’ll see.”
I’ve not defended myself when Lily again takes me by surprise.
“Are you kidding? Of course, they’re real! Come on, Tyler, we need to hurry.” Lily’s eyes are as alight as my daughter’s, the pair of them peas in a pod as they hurry toward the aquarium.
Once inside, I do my best to get my daughter to look at some of the more educational exhibits, but can’t dissuade her. It’s mermaids, or nothing.
And she’s got an ally in Lily, who’s on the look-out for signs that will point us in the right direction. Soon enough she finds what she’s after, and they take off, leaving me to follow in their mermaidy wake.
I eventually find them sitting in the front row of a score of benches facing a large aquarium that’s teeming with sea life. I’ve got to say, it’s impressive, with some large fish in there. But for a rod and reel…
I’ve settled on the bench next to them, when Zoe squeals loud enough to have me shoving my fingers in my ears. When I see what’s set her off, my hands drop to my side.
