Page 69 of Accidental Irish Daddy

“If you haven’t noticed, you’re hurting her now.”

That hits me like a ton of bricks. I don’t have a response.

She sighs and finishes her muffin before saying, “No one is a perfect creation, Grant. Not a single one of us. But life isn’t aboutachieving perfection. It’s about learning to live and love in spite of it.”

She stands up and walks over to me, hugging my head and kissing the top of it.

“You’re a lot of things, Grant Duncan. But more than any of the things that you are, you’re good. You always have been, and you are now.”

She leaves.

I sit there, thinking about what she’s said to me. Martha’s seen me through some of the worst parts of who I am, and she still calls me good. Of all the things.Good.

I guess…I guess good is the very least that I can give Aisling.

I look at the time on my phone and I sigh. I’ve missed my first meeting.

My phone rings, and to my surprise, it’s Arthur Turning, the family court solicitor I referred Aisling to. I pick up. “Morning, Arthur.”

“Good morning. Just wanted to touch base with you. Your wife called yesterday and set up a meeting with me about her sister.”

“Right. I told you she’d be giving you a call soon.”

“That you did. I was wondering, though, if you’ll also be in attendance.”

I start to say no, but it’s a little strange that he’s even asking in the first place. “Why? Should I be?”

He sighs. “Well…it really would be better if you were here. Some things have come up and…well, I’d feel better if you both were present.”

“All right, I’ll be there. What time?”

He tells me, and I hang up the phone. I don’t like the way he sounded like there’s something major happening that might derail Aisling’s case.

She’s not going to want to see me, but that’s too bad. It looks like one way or another, she’s going to need me.

***

It was a long day at work, and I think I’m just going to go to bed straight away. My muscles are a little sore anyway from working out so much. I don’t think I’ve ever worked out as hard as I’ve been. I guess all it takes is a good heartbreak for a person to get into the best shape of their life.

In or out of shape, though, I’m going to bed. It’s not even the middle of the week yet and I’m exhausted.

I decide to shower before heading to bed.

As I let the water run down my body, I think of Aisling again. The day I saw her in the rose garden with Ma…and that sundress she was wearing. The smattering of freckles on her shoulder, the way her red hair shone in the sunlight.

When I close my eyes, I can see her as clear as day. Like she’s standing right in front of me…

I finish washing, and I get out of the shower. In my pajama bottoms, I walk into my bedroom and sit down on the bed. My phone is lighting up. I pick it up and note that someone had texted me.

Aisling. A hopeful feeling rushes through me as I open the message.

Hi, this is Bridget. Why don't you like Aisling anymore?

Oh…wow. I was not expecting that. I sigh and text back, You shouldn’t be on your sister’s phone.

She’s in the shower. She's also very sad. She's been sad since we left. Do you do not like her anymore?

No, of course I like her. I like her very much,I text back.

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