“What do you mean?”
“I know Pippa. If she’s not here, it means you said something to upset her.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Because Sophie, the older girl at Mrs. Bennett’s house, had a boyfriend, and they argued on the phone because he said a lot of stupid things.”
I open my mouth and close it again when I realize Julie’s not done.
“She said stupidity runs in the Y chromosome. I learned in biology that the X chromosome is for the females and Y for the males, s—”
“Where did I send you?” I ask, flabbergasted. Shaking my head, I add, “Don’t you worry about anything. There is something I want to talk to you about.”
At that, Julie’s expression brightens, and she shifts more to one side as if to make space for me on the bed.
“How would you feel about moving here permanently? I looked up schools—”
Before I can finish my sentence, Julie pushes herself up on her knees and wraps her good arm around my neck, yelling in my ear, “I want to stay, Dad. I want to stay.”
I hug her tightly, careful not to touch her injured arm, while my heart beats at a million miles an hour.
“I love it here. I like Mr. and Mrs. Bennett more than Grams, but don’t tell her that.” She slips out of my arms, sitting back on the bed. “And I love Pippa. She’s like a mom. She’ll never replace my mom, of course, but I love her. Don’t you?”
“I do, pumpkin.”
“Let’s stay.”
My beautiful baby. She will never cease to surprise me. I should have known she wouldn’t even want to hear my arguments, that she’d decide with her heart. If I’m honest, I did the same. Still, as her father, it’s my duty to lay out all the pros and cons, to make her aware of them so she can walk into this with her eyes open. I want her to think this through, to see all the implications.
“It won’t be easy, though. I know you had a tough time acclimating to your school. But I r
esearched some here and found some you might like. We can also try homeschooling.”
“Can I go to the school where the Bennett girls go? Pleeease. I’d already have two friends that way.”
“Sure, I will look in to that. You wouldn’t see your friends back home often, or Ms. Smith. You said you missed her.”
Julie shrugs. “Yeah, because she was more fun than Ms. Blackwell. But Ms. Smith is my nanny. Pippa would be my mom.”
“It would be a big change, sweetie.”
“I know, Dad. I’m a big girl. And in six years, I will go to college, and you will be alone. If you marry Pippa, you will never be alone again.”
“Way to break my heart, kiddo.”
“You know it’s true.”
I watch her determined look for a few seconds, and I have to give it to her. She’s not a baby anymore; she is a big girl, and I have to trust that she can make a sound decision.
“Are you one hundred percent sure?” I ask one more time.
“Yes,” she answers with a firm nod.
“Okay. Do you mind if I leave you here alone for a few hours?”
“No, go and find Pippa.”
“Be a good girl.”