SHE WAS TOO SICK TO SLEEP ALONE, SO I
Being There for Liana
I thought I was doing okay as a dad—present but not perfect. When Liana’s mom, Dana, left when she was six, I focused on raising her, learning “how to braid hair” and choosing school supplies that didn’t look like a dad’s pick.
A Sick Night and a Tough Talk
One night, Liana was sick and shivering on the bathroom floor with her blue pillow. I hesitated, then lay beside her. She whispered, “Thanks for staying.” I said, “Always.” Later, at 3 a.m., she told me, “Mom called. She wants to talk. But only to me.” I told her, “She’s still your mom. It’s okay to miss her.”
Meeting Dana Again
Two weeks later, we met Dana at a park. Liana looked back at me, and I knew she was still grounded, still mine. Over ice cream, she said, “She smells the same… jasmine and coffee. But I’m not sure I trust her yet.” I told her, “That’s okay. You don’t have to.”
Staying Close
Now they talk sometimes, and Liana keeps no secrets from me. That night on the bathroom floor taught me, “sometimes, the best way to love your child is to simply stay close.” Would you lay on the bathroom floor too?
