“I was ashamed.”
Lily tugged at his sleeve. “Ell-fant!” He handed her the toy.
I pointed at Rosie. “Which daughter is that?”
“Lily.”
“That’s Rosie.”
Hannah blushed. “He’s nervous, Mom.”
“Apparently too nervous to remember his own children,” Mrs. Phelps muttered.
I asked her to take the twins into the kitchen. Then Brian reached into his jacket. He’d arrived with expensive gifts and big promises, but something told me he hadn’t come back just because he missed his daughters. He laid several papers on the table.
“I want to support the girls financially.”
“Then pay your child support.”
“I will. If you waive what I owe from the past.”
“You’re asking me to erase three years of debt?”
“I’m offering us a future. We could make financial decisions for the girls together.”
“What kind?”
“School funds, savings. Things parents should handle.”
“Then start acting like one.”
Hannah squeezed my arm. “Mom, please!”
I put the papers down. “No signatures today. No surprise visits, and no promises to Hannah about living together.”
Brian reluctantly agreed.
After he left, Hannah confronted me. “Why are you making everything so difficult?”
“Because I need to protect you.”
“From Dad?”
I sat beside her. “Hannah, there’s something I should have told you years ago.”
I explained how he’d reacted to the twins, why he left, and the calls that went unanswered. Her eyes filled.
“He left because they were girls?”
“He said he wasn’t ready for three daughters.”
“But you told me he was working!”
“I know.”
“Why did you let me believe he was coming back all those years?”
I couldn’t answer. She went upstairs crying.
For the first time I understood that my comforting lie had made Brian’s sudden promises dangerously believable. And just when I thought I’d figured out what he wanted, he asked a question that made his whole return look suspicious.
The next morning he called.
“I’ve been thinking about renovating the girls’ bedroom.”
“That’s generous.”
“I could pay for everything.”
“Why the sudden interest?”
“Because I’m their father.”
“Then tell me what Rosie likes for breakfast.”
“Laura, don’t start.”
“What do you actually want, Brian?”
“I want to help. Speaking of which, do you still have the twins’ birth certificates?”
I stopped stirring my coffee. “Why?”
“For medical insurance.”
“They already have coverage.”
“I could arrange something better.”
“You don’t need their original documents for a conversation about insurance.”
“Fine. Forget I asked.” He hung up.
I called Diane, Brian’s mother. She’d always loved the girls, but after the divorce Brian had made it hard for us to stay in touch, and eventually we’d stopped talking altogether.
“Laura,” she whispered. “Has Brian contacted you?”
“Yesterday.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“Diane, what’s going on?”
“Did he ask you to sign anything?”
I stared at the papers on my table. “How did you know?”
She went quiet. “Diane?”
“Listen carefully, Laura. There’s something Brian hasn’t told you.”
For the next twenty minutes I listened, barely interrupting. When she finished, I looked at the papers again. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wanted to. But Brian made it clear he didn’t want me contacting you or the girls. I was afraid I’d only make things worse.”
“Are you absolutely sure about what you’ve told me?”
“Every word.”
Suddenly Brian’s strange behavior made a lot more sense. But I wasn’t revealing what I knew until I was ready to teach him a lesson.
The next afternoon Mrs. Phelps came by. “Well? Did Prince Charming explain himself?”
“Not yet. I’m inviting him to dinner.”
“You’re joking.”
“I need him to answer a few questions. Can you watch the girls?”
“Oh, Laura. Whatever you’re planning, please be careful. Of course I’ll look after them.”
I called Brian. “Come Friday. We can discuss our future.”
“Really?”
“Bring your paperwork.”
He sounded delighted. Meanwhile I got busy with my plan, making sure everything was in place before confronting him. That evening Hannah found me sorting papers.
“Are you taking Dad back?”
“No. I need answers.”
“Can I listen?”
“You’ve already carried enough of our problems, sweetheart.”
For once, I wasn’t asking her to be another adult.
Friday arrived. I set the table with candles and our best plates. Mrs. Phelps took the girls next door for pizza and a movie. Hannah knew I was meeting Brian but would hear the outcome from me afterward.
At seven the doorbell rang. Brian stood outside with roses and a jewelry box. “For you,” he announced. Inside was a gold necklace.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“I want to give you everything you deserve.”
“That’s an interesting choice of words.”
He laughed nervously.
We sat down to dinner. He praised the food, described imaginary family vacations, and promised he’d never leave again. Finally I set down my fork.
“Brian, can I ask you something?”
