Something about hearing that was both comforting and strange. Comforting because my daughter, maybe, has someone kind around her. Strange because that role could have been mine.
“I’m not trying to complicate your life,” Sydney says gently.
“I’ll have my lawyer set up the paternity test,” she says. “You’ll get an email with the details.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say.
“For what it’s worth, you’ll be a good dad, if that is what you choose.”
I don’t know how to respond to that.
After the call ends, I sit in that empty theater again.
Then I call Riley to give him an update.
“Hey, what’s up?” he asks.
“I talked to her, and we are doing the paternity test.”
“That’s good, one step down,” Riley says.
“If she’s mine, I am going to meet her.”
“That’s the right move.”
“Syd has a boyfriend, been together for two years,” I tell him.
“That simplifies things for you?” he asks.
“It does, ya.”
“What about Violet?”
That question sits heavier than the rest.
“I still haven’t told her.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know how this ends.”
Riley is quiet for a moment.
“You’re scared it will push her away?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I respond.
“Well, you keeping it from her might push her away, too, man. If she’s the right woman, this news won’t make her leave.”
I stare up at the theater lights. One week until the grand opening. An unknown amount of time until the paternity results. And somewhere in the middle of all that is Violet.
The one person I want to be the most honest with. Maybe waiting to tell her until I know all the answers isn’t the right thing to do. Maybe having someone walk alongside me in life, helping me deal with things thrown my way, is the whole point. Maybe it’s time to lean into what we have and let her in.
24
Everett
Isit alone in the theater, long after Riley hangs up.
