“Mom…” Joy didn’t answer Hadley’s question. Instead, she looked up.
“Why hasn’t Dad come to see me in so long?”
Her voice carried a heavy kind of sadness.
“Is it because he’s sick?”
“Yes.” Hadley nodded.
Joy’s gaze sharpened.
“Then why didn’t you tell me before, Mom?”
“I didn’t want you to worry, sweetheart.” Hadley spoke quietly, guilt creeping into her voice.
“Oh, okay.”
Joy puffed her cheeks, furrowing her brows. Confusion still lingered in her eyes. Then came the question, soft and trembling.
“If Dad doesn’t remember me… will he still love me like before?”
The words cracked mid-sentence. Fear and longing tangled together.
Just like Hamza had said—Joy wanted her father’s love.
How could she not?
Her father had adored her. He once promised her the stars and the moon, even the sun, just to make her smile.
“Well…” Hadley hesitated. She didn’t give a straight answer.
“Why don’t you test him yourself next time you see him? If he fails… we’ll stop talking to him. Deal?”
Joy mumbled, not quite saying yes. But the resistance in her voice had softened.
Hadley pulled her into a hug.
“Actually, when you went to the doctor earlier… your dad came too. But I guess that’s not enough, is it?”
She kissed her daughter’s forehead.
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“You’ll figure things out. No rush. We’re not in a hurry.”
After tucking Joy in, Hadley reached for her phone on the table. The call hadn’t ended.
Eric was still on the line?
She stepped out of the room, her voice low.
“Eric? Are you still there?”
“Yes,” he answered right away.
“Why didn’t you hang up?” She rubbed her forehead.
“Did you hear all that?”
“I did,” said Eric.
“I stayed on because I wanted to talk about what I should do next.”
He wanted to earn back Joy’s trust—to become her father again. But his mind felt blank—he didn’t know where to begin.
“I don’t think we should wait; the sooner, the better.” Eric paused, then added, “How about I come over now?”
“No!” Hadley shot back, startled.
“Didn’t you hear me? Joy just fell asleep.”
“Right.” Eric let out a quiet breath and rubbed his brow.
.
.
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