Page 136 of Engulfing Emma

Evie: School? I can’t talk about school at a time like this. We have to figure out a way to get you and Mom back together. I can do recon on this end. I’m sure I can get Grandma in on it too. But you have to do your part. When my best friend, Karoline, got dumped by her boyfriend last month, she made him jealous by kissing Kyle Young. Maybe you could make her jealous. You know, not for real, but maybe you have a friend who could pretend to be your date, and I can make sure Mom looks out the window and sees you.

Me: Slow down, Nancy Drew.

Evie: Who’s that? Is she a woman you can use to make Mom jealous?

Me: I’m not going to use anyone to make your mom jealous.

Evie: But it can work. Don’t you even want to try?

Of course I want to try, I just don’t think there is anything I can say or do to change her mind.

Evie: Can I tell you something?

Me: Always.

Evie: Back in Germany when I told Stefan I was happy with the way things were, and I didn’t need a father, I meant it. I’ve always meant it. Until I met you, I never knew what I was missing in my life. Now I know.

I close my eyes and nod. God, I love that kid. Who knew this precocious twelve-year-old could work her way into my heart the way she has.

Me: I feel the same way about you, Evie. About both of you. In some ways I feel like the two of you complete my family. I wish things could be different.

Evie: Me too.

Leo is making a lot of noise through the baby monitor.

Me: I have to go. Leo needs me. We’ll talk soon. Maybe I’ll see you Saturday. I’ll be at the dunking booth if you want to find me.

Evie: We’ll be there, I promise.

Me: Goodnight.

I go upstairs to Leo’s room and find him standing up in his crib. “What’s up, buddy? Bad dream?”

As I walk over, I get a whiff of his diaper and realize what the problem is. I laugh. “Poopy diaper.” I pick him up and flick on the light before taking him to the changing table.

“Poopy donkey,” he says while I change him.

“Thankfully, donkey’s poops aren’t as messy as yours.” I give him a meaningful stare. “Never eat your poop, Leo. Yuck.”

He giggles. I pick him up.

“Kiss, Daddy,” he says.

He puckers up, and I give him a smooch.

Returning to his crib, I can’t help looking out the window. It’s become more a habit than anything. But I’m surprised at what I see.

I didn’t expect Emma to be standing at her window.Does she see me? Is she having second thoughts?

I walk up to the window with Leo still in my arms. She sees me and starts to back away. I put my palm against the glass.

She hesitates, then draws the curtains.

I look at Leo. “I really thought she was the one.”

He yawns and puts his head on my shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m tired too,” I say, turning off his light. “Come on, you can sleep with me tonight.”

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