My first instinct was to become offended.
Did she really need to remind me?
Then I remembered the canceled visits.
The birthdays I’d rushed through.
The weekends I’d promised the children and then changed my mind about.
“Thursday works,” I said. “I’ll be there.”
And I was.
I arrived early, found a seat, and watched Holly perform.
When the concert ended, she ran toward me.
“Daddy! Did you see me?”
“Every second, sweetheart.”
She beamed.
Then she proudly showed me a drawing she’d made.
I praised the colors and asked her about the flowers.
But moments later, she spotted Daniel across the room.
“Daniel! Look! I remembered the flowers!”
He smiled warmly.
“You sure did. They’re beautiful.”
Something ugly rose inside me.
“Shouldn’t you be showing your father first?” I snapped.
Holly’s smile vanished.
The excitement drained from her little face.
Several parents nearby turned to look.
