Only rage at being exposed.
I opened my front door and said,
“Leave.”
“You’re going to end up alone, Daniel.”
I looked toward the living room, where Lily was hugging her rag doll and laughing softly at something on TV.
“No. I’m just staying with the person who matters.”
Rebecca left shouting from the sidewalk, but I stopped listening.
I locked the door.
The months after that felt strange.
The house became quiet.
Not empty.
Quiet.
Lily began sleeping better. At first, she woke up in the middle of the night asking if Aunt Rebecca was coming. I would sit beside her, stroke her hair, and repeat the same sentence.
“No, baby. You’re safe here.”
The first time she laughed loudly again, I cried in the kitchen where she couldn’t see me.
The first time she wanted to go to a classmate’s birthday party, I was scared, but I went with her. She stayed glued to me for the first few minutes. Then she let go of my hand to get a slice of cake.
