My Better Life

I pull her close and press her in a tight hug. She’s right, dads do leave, but I’m not one of them. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her voice is muffled against my shirt when she says, “Promise?”

I ruffle her hair. “Of course I promise.”

She grins up at me, her pink tongue sticking through the hole where her front tooth is missing. “Okay. I’m going to play with Scooter.”

I nod and let her go. She skips across the room and then climbs down the ladder. Below, I can hear Jamie showering off. Soon she’ll start dinner. The boys are outside, and the door slams, Shay running out to join them.

I let out a long breath.

My accident must’ve really upset Shay. I’m glad I can promise her that I’ll be here for her, and I’m glad the boys have a camping trip to look forward to.

I’m looking forward to it too.

Like I said, every day is bliss.

I hear the shower cut off, and I imagine Jamie, stepping out of the shower, naked and toweling dry. I wonder if she has freckles on her breasts, or on her inner thighs. I groan, thinking of it.

Every day is bliss, and every day is torture.