The First Father's Day
Chapter 17 - The First Father's Day
Daniel's first Father's Day after returning was awkward.
Sophie made him breakfast.
The toast was burned.
Ben spilled orange juice.
Jonathan pretended not to notice.
After breakfast, Sophie handed Daniel a card.
On the front she had drawn four people.
Daniel.
Sophie.
Ben.
And Rebecca with wings.
Daniel stared at it for a long time.
"Mommy still counts," Sophie explained.
Daniel nodded.
"She always counts."
Ben produced another drawing.
Five people.
Jonathan was included.
Daniel laughed.
"What about Grandpa?"
"He lives here now."
Jonathan looked surprised.
"I do?"
Ben nodded seriously.
"You're old. You need us."
Everyone laughed.
Jonathan had sold his enormous Manhattan apartment months earlier.
He kept a smaller place nearby but spent most days with the children.
At first, Daniel thought Jonathan was checking whether he could handle fatherhood.
Eventually he realized the older man simply could not bear an empty house.
They found a rhythm.
Daniel handled mornings.
Jonathan handled school pickups.
Sophie began therapy.
Ben started sleeping through the night.
Nothing returned to normal.
They created a new normal.
That evening, Daniel found Jonathan sitting alone on the porch.
"You okay?"
Jonathan nodded.
"Rebecca would have liked today."
Daniel sat beside him.
"She should be here."
"Yes."
They watched Sophie and Ben chase each other across the lawn.
May you like
Jonathan finally said, "But they are."
And for that day, it was enough.
