But I wasn’t answering only as Emily anymore.
I was Nora’s mother.
“Yes,” I said finally. “You can prove that you deserve to be her father.”
Hope flashed across his face.
“But I’m not getting back together with you.”
His shoulders dropped.
“Emily…”
“I don’t hate you, Caleb. And I understand why you were afraid.”
I paused.
“But I can’t build a relationship with someone who disappears whenever he decides his plan is better than letting me make my own choice.”
Tears filled his mismatched eyes.
“I’ll never disappear again.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t give me another promise.”
He looked at me.
“Give me proof.”
For illustrative purposes only
Part 6 — Learning to Stay
Three months later, Caleb stood in my driveway fighting with Nora’s car seat.
He pulled the strap.
It twisted.
He muttered under his breath and tried again.
From the porch, I finally said, “You know you can ask for help.”
