Left (Left 1)

“Phoe?”

“We were supposed to talk about our families.”

My throat tightens. I’ve been dreading this moment for a long time.

“Yeah.”

“And Billie told me, I had to have a mom to be a family.”

“And what did you say?” I ask peering in the rearview mirror. Brows drawn and lips pursed into a straight line, Phoenix is the image of pensive.

“That it wasn’t true. Cause I have a family and no Mom.”

“Tha’s right.”

“I told him we got something even better than a mom. We have a Liv.”

Liv gasps from beside me. I glance over and find her plump dark pink lips have formed a circle. She turns her dark brown gaze my way. Concern and a slow creeping panic appear in the depths of her large eyes. I recognize the expression by now.

“Well now, I agree, Liv is amazing for our family. But it’s okay if Billie has a mom. Families don’t have a certain way to look. It’s different for everyone.”

“Why can’t Liv be our mom, Dad?” Phoenix asks. The pain in his voice rips me to shreds.

“Because we’re not married.”

“So, get married,” Echo says.

“Yeah, can we be flower girls,” Deja says.

“And she can live with us all the time. Please, Dad.” Phoenix says.

“Please,” Echo and Deja parrot.

“Guys, it’s complicated. Daddy and Livy aren’t dating. We’re not in love.”

“Y- you don’t love Livy?” Echo wails.

“Of course, I do. But this is a special kind of love. Livy is my best friend, and umm…”

I look to Livy desperate for help.

“Daddy and I are always going to be here for you. We do love each other. We’re best friends. You know, like you guys and Roland,” she said mentioning Ollie’s son. “Would you guys want to marry Rollo?” she asks.

“Yuck! No.” Echo and Deja say.

“I don’t want to marry anyone,” Phoenix says making us laugh.

“Well, then why are you trying to marry us off?” I ask.

“So we can be a real family,” Phoenix says.

Liv turns in her seat and leans back to grab his hand. “We already are.”

“Forever? Cause Billie says if you aren’t our Mommy you can just leave. But our Mommy did that.”

I grip the wheel tight. Son of a bitch.

“Honey, I’m not going anywhere ever. Your mommy had some problems. She left because she wasn’t well enough to take care of you. Sometimes people get sick in the heart, and the head where no one can see.”