Emma narrowed her eyes.
“Dad, you’re being weird.”
“I’ve been weird since before you were born.”
Despite herself, she almost smiled.
Then her expression became serious again.
“Please don’t make him feel bad.”
Daniel looked at her carefully.
“Emma, I’m not responsible for making Tyler feel good about every decision he makes. But I’m also not going to embarrass him just because I’m upset. You deserve respect, and so does he. Those two things can be true at the same time.”
She didn’t answer.
Before going upstairs, she asked one last question.
“Can I wear whatever I want?”
I felt a sudden ache in my chest.
“Of course you can, sweetheart.”
She nodded and disappeared down the hallway.
That Sunday, I spent far too much time deciding what to cook.
I made roasted chicken, potatoes, green beans, and a chocolate cake because Tyler had once mentioned that he liked it.
