Emily watched her daughter Olivia scramble to get ready for a meeting with her dad.
Do you think Dad just doesnt want me to meet the aunt he loves? Olivia asked, voice low.
Im not sure its that simple, Emily replied, choosing her words carefully. Sometimes adults act foolishly, even more than children. It might be that they havent figured out how to make it work, or perhaps Aunt Claire feels shy.
Its not like Ill bite, Olivia protested.
Other peoples children are always a responsibility. Not everyone is ready for that, Emily said, standing in the hallway as Olivias phone buzzed. The girl snatched it up, her face falling.
Dont think hes coming? Emily asked.
He said works a mess, Olivia muttered, not looking up. Next time then.
Right. Get dressed, Emily said, heading to the kitchen. She filled the kettle and turned it on, the bubbling water muffling her thoughts.
It had been eight years since the divorce, and David still managed to be a master of spoiling moods.
The first three years of their marriage had seemed like a fairytale: spontaneous bouquets, breakfast in bed, little gifts. Emily had believed shed hit the happyticket. When she got pregnant, David would carry her across the kitchen, beaming.
In the maternity ward the first alarm rang, and Emily brushed it aside. The doctor was filling out Olivias birth card while David stood nearby, pale and nervous.
Whats her blood group? David asked.
The girls is Rhnegative, the doctor said matteroffactly.
David frowned. How can that be? My test was positive, yours was positive too.
The doctor adjusted his glasses. Remember your school biology. The Rhfactor can be tricky. If both parents carry a hidden negative gene, the child can be negative. Its normal.
Are you sure? David squinted. No mistake?
The lab results dont lie.
Later David called Emily a hundred times, demanding an explanation. She sent him the doctors notes over and over until he finally seemed to calm down, though the tension lingered.
The trouble began the day David left the hospital. He had diabetes, and Emily had always monitored his diet and reminded him about insulin. Suddenly he started acting like a teenager, craving freedom.
Im off to soccer, he announced, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
David, you cant. Your sugars spiking, the doctor said you need a routine, Emily warned.
Im a man, I need to move. Your caring smothers me, he snapped, heading out.
He would come home late. One night he stumbled in, pale and sweatinghypoglycaemia. Emily, ignoring the crying baby, rushed with juice and glucose tablets.
Where have you been? she asked as he steadied.
Playing soccer, running around, he replied. Till two in the morning?
We sat and talked afterwards. Isnt that normal? Emily tried to believe. She spent evenings alone, stroking Olivias tiny hands, convincing herself it was just a phase, that once the girl grew up everything would settle.
It didnt. Phones started ringing in the eveningsformer colleagues from the accounting department, managers, friends. They all wanted a chat, but the gossip turned darker.
Hey Emily, am I bothering you? one asked.
Not at all, whats up? Emily replied.
Just wondering Davids at the office party tonight, right?
Probably, Emily said.
Just so you know, hes been with a new girl, Veronica. They were laughing, he was touching her waist
Emily felt her fingers go cold. Maybe its just a work project, she muttered, trying to convince herself. Deep down she knew David was sociable, but the unease grew.
A year and a half after Olivias birth everything collapsed.
Emily was invited to a big corporate dinner. The grandparents agreed to look after Olivia. She chose a dress that hid the postbirth changes, put on makeup, hoping for a night where she could feel part of a world beyond nappies and porridge.
David disappeared into the crowd, saying hed go say hello to some colleagues. Emily mingled, smiled at compliments, but kept scanning for him. Hours passed, and he was nowhere. She walked the hallways, checked the quieter side near the fire exit.
There, behind a large ficus, she spotted them. David and a coworker stood close, her hand on his jacket lapel, whispering. He tilted his head toward her shoulder and smiled with the same grin hed once given Emily. It wasnt a kiss, but the intimacy was unmistakable.
Emilys breath hitched like a bucket of icy water poured over her head. She didnt shout or cause a scene; she turned, called a taxi, and left for Olivias flat.
David returned at dawn, untangling his tie. Why did you leave? he asked.
I saw you behind the ficus, Emily said quietly.
He paused, then waved it off. We were just talking. Youre being paranoid, Emily.
Enough, she whispered. Just dont.
For a month she drifted through a fog, the apartment feeling physically painful. When David finally packed his things, claiming they needed space because she was too nervous, the air seemed cleaner. Their divorce was swift; David vanished from her life almost instantly.
He didnt call for a whole year. Olivia, now two and a half, would sometimes ask, Wheres Daddy? Emily would answer, Daddys at work, never lying, just not explaining. Grandmother helped with Olivia, and Emily threw herself into work, determined not to rely on anyone. She earned enough, paid the bills, and took holidays on her own. She never pursued child support, unwilling to chase him or beg for documentspride, perhaps, or a refusal to be humbled.
Then one evening David called. Im Olivias father. I have a right to see my child, he said.
Emily didnt block him. Fine, come Saturday.
He began to appear sporadically, paying for Olivias piano lessons and dance classes. It was his way of checking the good dad box; he never really got involved beyond gifts. For Olivia, he was the man who brought presents, movies, café treats.
How much does a child need? Emily looked at it philosophically: the crucial thing was that Olivia had any father at all.
One afternoon Olivia slipped into the kitchen in a homeworn tee, eyes reddened.
Mum, why does he act like that? she asked softly.
Whats that, love? Emily replied.
He promises things and then doesnt keep them.
Emily sighed. People are different, Olivia. Dad isnt cruel; he just cant plan.
He said its because of you, Olivia blurted.
Emily froze, cup in hand.
What?
He told me on the phone, Your mum always messes up the plans, so he cant meet you.
Emily set the cup down slowly. Olivia, have I ever stopped you from seeing him?
No.
Have I ever spoken badly about him?
No.
Then decide for yourself: do you trust the facts or the empty words?
The story of new aunt had been circulating for months. Olivia once came home after a weekend with David and said, Dad lives with Aunt Claire. Shes pretty, I saw pictures. They have a cat. Emily had just shrugged, He lives where he wants. Olivia, however, wanted to meet her.
Mum, I want to be friends with her. Dad says shes sweet.
Emily called David.
Olivia knows about your girlfriend. She wants to meet her. What do you think?
There was a pause.
Not sure maybe later, David said.
Later turned into a month. He alternated between promising an introduction and pulling back.
She really wants to meet Olivia! hed say a week ago. Lets go to the park next weekend, or get pizza.
Emily agreed, only to face another cancellation.
She stepped onto the balcony, phone in hand, needing a private conversation.
Hello, Emily, Im busy, what do you want? Davids voice was irritated, a song playing faintly in the background.
Busy? You just told Olivia you had a pile of work, but I hear music. Are you in a bar?
Im at a meeting. Ive the right to relax, dont I?
You do, but dont lie to the child. Dont blame me for your missed meetings.
Whos to blame? David snapped. Youre always micromanaging. What time will you pick her up, what time will you drop her off. Youre suffocating me.
Aunt Claire is scared to get involved because youre unstable, David added.
Im not unstable, Emily smirked. David, facts, please. Olivia was ready an hour ago. You called at the last minute. Am I to blame?
Or maybe Claire just doesnt want to meet your child, and you cant admit that, David retorted.
Dont talk about Claire like that! She wants to! Its just circumstances.
What circumstances? The fifth time now?
Enough, David. If your lady isnt ready to talk to my child, thats her choice. But be honest with Olivia, or at least give a better excuse than maybe later.
David grumbled, You always make things harder. You cant even find a man, thats why youre angry. He hung up.
That night, after Olivia fell asleep, Emily replayed the conversation in her head. She drafted a text to David:
From now on, any arrangement must go through me, with at least 24hour notice. If you cancel a promise on the day, the next meeting will be postponed for a month. I wont let Olivia become anxious. If you want to introduce her to Claire, give a firm date, time, and place. If Claire isnt interested, well drop it. Ill explain to Olivia myself. No more maybe or later. Good night.
His reply came within a minute: Whatever. These meetings are more for you than for me.
Emily barred David from seeing Olivia directly, stating that any contact would have to be arranged after a court decision. He never filed a claimtime and money were on Emilys side, and his new flame wasnt keen on meeting a stepdaughter.
Olivia suffered, but Emily did everything she could to ensure her daughter never felt shortchanged.
The lesson Emily finally saw was simple: promises are cheap, but consistency builds trust. If you cannot keep your word, it is better to stay silent than to break the heart of those who depend on you.
