Chapter 6 - The House Lily Wanted to Leave
Six months after the trial, Lily asked to move.
Daniel thought he misheard.
“What?”
“I don’t like this house.”
They were sitting at breakfast.
The marble kitchen.
Same island.
Same camera.
Same pantry.
Daniel looked around.
“Why?”
Lily shrugged.
“I just don’t.”
He knew better than to force explanation.
“Okay.”
She looked surprised.
“Okay?”
“We can talk about moving.”
“I thought grown-ups hate moving.”
“We do.”
“Then why?”
Daniel smiled.
“Because houses are replaceable.”
She looked toward the pantry.
That was the answer.
Daniel sold the property four months later.
He could have remodeled.
Removed the camera.
Changed the kitchen.
But Lily deserved a home without memories hidden in corners.
They bought a smaller house in Lincoln Park.
Warm wood floors.
Blue kitchen cabinets.
A backyard just large enough for a dog.
Lily demanded one immediately.
Daniel delayed three weeks.
Then they adopted a mutt named Pickles.
Terrible name.
Lily refused alternatives.
Maria continued helping after school.
But Daniel worked from home twice weekly.
He began making dinner.
Poorly.
Lily complained.
Repeatedly.
It felt wonderful.
One evening she found an old photograph of Rachel.
“Mom was pretty.”
“Yes.”
“Do you miss her?”
“Every day.”
“Do you love her still?”
“Yes.”
Lily thought.
“If you love someone who died, can you love someone else?”
Daniel stopped.
“Why?”
“Maria says her brother is getting remarried.”
“Ah.”
He sat beside her.
“Yes.”
“You can?”
“Yes.”
“Would Mom be mad?”
Daniel smiled sadly.
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Because your mother loved us.”
Lily nodded.
Then:
“Vanessa wanted to be my new mommy.”
His chest tightened.
“I know.”
“I don’t want a new mommy.”
“You don’t need one.”
“Ever?”
“Ever.”
Relief.
Then she added:
“But you can have a girlfriend.”
Daniel almost choked.
“Thank you for permission.”
“You’re welcome.”
Two years passed before he dated seriously.
Her name was Elena Brooks.
She was an elementary-school librarian.
She met Lily naturally through a school literacy fundraiser.
Daniel did not introduce her as anything for months.
When he finally told Lily:
“Elena and I are dating.”
Lily looked at him.
“Does she know she’s not my mom?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Elena said:
“I also know.”
Lily studied her.
Then:
“Do you like dogs?”
“Yes.”
“Pickles bites shoelaces.”
“I can handle that.”
Relationship approved provisionally.
Elena never disciplined Lily without discussing expectations with Daniel.
Never used affection as authority.
Never tried to erase Rachel.
The first Christmas she spent with them, she gave Lily a photo album.
The first page held a picture of Rachel.
Lily cried.
Then hugged her.
May you like
Daniel loved Elena a little more that day.
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