The Day Lily Asked About Her Mother
Chapter 10 - The Day Lily Asked About Her Mother
Lily first met Adrian in a supervised playroom at a family center. She wore yellow overalls and carried a rabbit nearly as large as her torso. Rebecca stayed close enough for Lily to reach her at any moment.
Adrian sat on the carpet rather than towering above her. The counselor introduced him as someone who knew Mama Rose and wanted to share stories.
Lily examined him thoughtfully. "You have big shoes."
He looked down at his polished black shoes. "I suppose I do."
"My daddy wears boots."
Adrian smiled. "Boots are good for running in the mud."
She giggled and showed him her rabbit. They spent most of the visit building a tower of colored blocks. She did not hug him. She did not call him Dad. When she grew tired, she climbed into Rebecca's lap.
It was the best hour of Adrian's life.
Near the end, Lily pointed to a photograph of Rose on the table. "Who is that lady?"
"Her name was Rose," Adrian said carefully. "She loved you very much."
Lily looked at the picture. "Did she know I like rabbits?"
He swallowed. "She didn't get to know you as you grew, but I think she would have loved hearing all about them."
May you like
Lily nodded as though considering important new information.
Afterward, Adrian sat alone in his car and cried. It wasn't despair. It was grief mixed with the astonishing relief of hearing his daughter speak.
