Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Zella, sweetie,” Renee says. “Remember what we talked about? Who Mr. James is?”
She nods, sipping her soda.
“Go on, Terrence,” Renee encourages. “She knows. Just needs to hear it from you.”
My hands shake as I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I once knew your mother Lacey. We went to school together. Do you go to school?”
“Morning pre-k now, huh?” Renee pats her on the back.
Zella nods, curiosity at my story shining in her eyes.
“We went to high school together. Since we, uh, liked each other so much, we made a beautiful baby girl.” I smile at her. “You. But then your mom had to move away. I didn’t know where you were.”
“I know this story,” Zella says, smiling. Her eyes dart around the cabin as though she’s searching for something.
“You do?” I dart my eyes to Renee and she shrugs. “Well, anyway, when I saw you at the doctor’s office, I recognized you. You’re my daughter, Zella. I’m your real daddy.”
“Your grandfather has raised you,” Renee says, “but remember what we talked about? That Terrence here is your real father?”
Zella nods. “Can I call you Daddy instead?”
My chest nearly splits open with love I didn’t even know existed inside of me, threatening to spill from me. “Yes, you certainly may. I want to be in your life. I’m trying to make it so that maybe you can come live with me one day.”
Renee pats her on the back. “What do you think about that?”
“Right now?” Zella asks, her eyes once again searching my cabin.
“Not right now,” Renee says. “But hopefully soon, even if only half the time. Two homes would be fun, right?”
Zella flinches. I want to pull her into my lap to kiss and hug her. She barely knows me, though.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask Zella.
Renee frowns at me, but I need to know where Lacey is.
“Lost,” she whispers. “Will she find me?”
“Absolutely,” I say with conviction, though I don’t know for sure.
“Zella here loves to play with Barbie dolls,” Renee reveals. “Don’t you, honey?”
Zella nods. She glances past me toward the hallway. I think she obviously remembers me from the day Penny and I came over. It’s as though she’s looking for Penny.
Renee’s phone rings, so she excuses herself to take the call in the kitchen.
“Are you looking for Penny?” I ask, my voice low.
Zella grins, her whole face lighting up, as she nods.
“You can see her again one day soon,” I assure her.
She sips more of her orange soda, the tension leaving her body. I hate that she’s been with that fuckface Jack. She belongs with me. I could keep her safe and happy.
“I know you don’t know me very well, but, Zella, I swear I will be the best dad in the world. I already love you and would do anything for you.” I reach forward and tease her with a little boop on the nose with my thumb. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
“Will we go on adventures?”
I chuckle. “My life has been one big adventure and you’re a part of it. Of course we will. We’ll make Penny come along too.”
“And Mommy?”
“Once we find her, yes.”
She beams at me. “Can we go on an adventure now?”
Renee ends her call, catching the tail end of our conversation. She nods at me. “I have a few phone calls to make. Meet back in half an hour?”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “Come on, Mello Zello. Let’s go.”
She sets her drink down on the table and takes my hand. It’s so small in mine. Everything inside of me screams to protect this little girl with all I have. I know, in this moment, I’d step in traffic for her, slay dragons, fly to the moon. Whatever she needs, I’ll make sure she gets. Hand in hand, we walk outside. It’s chilly, but spring is on its way. I guide her down the steps and toward a path in the woods that leads to the river. I chatter about the things I like to do. Basketball. Camping. Barbeques with friends and family. By the time we reach the river, Zella has opened up some too.
“I love going outside, but Dadd—” She cuts off her words, flashing me a look of panic.
“I know it’s still confusing,” I assure her. “You’ve been calling him that your whole life. I’m not mad.”
“He says I can’t go outside,” she finally says, frowning.
“How come?”
“Someone might steal me.”
I force a smile even though I want to go pummel that asshole. “Your grandfather doesn’t know everything. I’m your real daddy. I will protect you and won’t let anything happen to you. We can go outside as much as you want. One day, when you come to live with me, I’ll even build you a swing set so you can go outside as much as you want.”