I drive back to Willow Creek.
I bring gifts, too many gifts.
A dollhouse, a stuffed unicorn, a box of chocolates for Lily.
I’m nervous.
I don’t know how to do this.
I don’t know how to be a father.
I knock on the door.
Sophie opens it.
She’s wearing a princess dress and a crooked crown.
“Daddy!” She throws herself into my arms.
“You came back!”
“I told you I would.”
I have something to show you!”
She grabs my hand and pulls me inside.
She shows me her drawings, her toys, her room.
She talks a mile a minute.
She’s so full of life, so full of joy.
I don’t know how I lived without her.
Lily is in the kitchen.
She’s making lunch.
She looks tired.
She looks beautiful.
She looks at me like she doesn’t know whether to trust me or throw me out.
“Hi.” She doesn’t smile.
“You brought gifts.”
“I didn’t know what she likes.”
“She likes everything.
She’s three.”
I set the bags on the table.
“I got you chocolates.”
She looks at the box.
“You remembered.”
“I remember everything, Lily.
Every single thing.”
She looks at me, and for a moment, just a moment, I see the girl I fell in love with.
And I know, with everything I have, that I’m going to win her back.