I’ve always been a hands-on dad. So last week, I picked Lily up from preschool like usual. She smelled like finger paint and raisins. As we pulled into the driveway, she leaned forward in her booster seat, holding a crayon, and said:
“Daddy, can we invite my real dad to Father’s Day dinner?”
“Your… real dad?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She nodded, curls bouncing. “Yeah! He comes when you’re at work.”
I blinked, stunned. “Maybe you’re mixing something up, sweetie.”
“Uh uh,” she said. “He brings me choclate . We play tea party. Mommy makes dinner for him sometimes. You know him. He told me he’s my real daddy.”
My grip tightened on the steering wheel. My breath came in fragments. “I know him?” I thought. But I didn’t want to accuse Jess or scare Lily. So I played along.
“Wow,” I said. “That’s a big surprise. Want to play a game? Invite him to dinner on Sunday. But don’t tell Mommy. And don’t tell him I’ll be home. It’ll be our little secret.”
Lily lit up. “A game?”
She beamed. “Okay! I love games!”
I kissed her head, but inside, I was unraveling.
Sunday came fast. Jess claimed she had an engagement shoot at the lake. I asked why on Father’s Day. She mumbled something about scheduling conflicts. I nodded, pretending to believe her.
That morning, I made pancakes. Took Lily to the park. Let her pick a sunflower bouquet for the table. Jess was gone by the time we got home.
I told her I’d be out all day, left Lily with a babysitter, and said I’d visit my parents. She didn’t expect me back until late.
Instead, I made dinner. Chicken cordon bleu. Garlic mashed potatoes. Roasted carrots. I poured wine. Lit candles. Lily helped set the table, thrilled about our “game.”
I opened the door—and nearly dropped the tray.
Adam.
My best friend since college. My fishing buddy. My daughter’s “Uncle Adam.”
He wore a button-down and khakis, like he was headed to brunch. He saw me and flinched.
“Hey… bro. Wow, didn’t know you’d be home. What a surprise!”
Behind him, Jess walked up the path. She froze.
“Danny?! What are you—?”
I forced a smile. “Come on in, buddy. My best friend. We were just about to eat.
Adam paled. Jess looked ready to collapse. I gestured toward the table.
“Dinner’s hot. Don’t let it go cold.”
They followed me in.
Lily was already seated, kicking her legs, beaming. “I told him it’d be fun!” she chirped.
Adam sat stiffly. Jess avoided my eyes. I poured wine, filling Adam’s glass to the brim.
“So,” I said, sitting across from him. “Been busy?”
“Yeah,” he said, voice cracking. “Work’s been nuts.”
I nodded. “Not too busy to visit, though.”
He stiffened. Jess looked like she wanted to disappear.
“What does that mean?” Adam asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just heard you’ve been around. Chocolates. Dinners. Tea parties.”
Jess jumped in. “He just stopped by once or twice. Lily loves visitors.”
“Just once or twice?” I asked, locking eyes with Adam.
“Maybe… three times,” he mumbled.
“Right. No big deal. Just a guy stopping by to see his daughter.”
The air thickened. Jess’s fork froze. Adam set down his wine, hands trembling.
“What are you talking about?” Jess whispered.
I turned to Lily.
“Sweetheart, who’s Adam?”
She giggled. “He’s my real daddy!”
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