Free What Happiness Looks Like (Promises) by Karen Lenfestey Page A

I’m forty years old. I am not asking my parents for money.”
    His dad had never supported any of Mitch’s ideas. Not since Mitch chose computers over football, fixing antique watches over rebuilding a ‘67 Mustang, and not since Mitch took a job out of state rather than working for his dad’s construction company. Mitch’s mom, however, would probably do anything for a chance at a grandchild. She’d loved being a stay-at-home mom and Mitch was her only child. She’d hinted many times that she wanted someone to knit booties for and sing lullabies to. She’d make a wonderful grandmother.
    Kate studied her DIY French manicure. “There has to be a way we can afford this.” She had cut back on expenses, but maybe she could do more.
    He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. “We could charge your sister rent.”
    She sighed. “She can’t work. You know that.” She figured there were periods when Joely could work, but her good days were so unpredictable. Where would she find a job that flexible? “Besides, you shouldn’t pick on my sister when your parents could easily afford to help us out.”
    He pulled his tie upwards as if it were a noose around his neck. His eyes closed, his tongue stuck out.
    Neither of them laughed.
    JOELY
     
    “Today you get your wish.” Joely wrestled with Anna’s frizzy hair to pull it into a French braid. Her shoulders remained tight, even though she’d seen Kate and Mitch leave twenty minutes ago. Mitch would probably think this was evidence that he’d been justified in giving Anna Jake’s address and Kate would definitely give Joely a hard time. “Remember this is a secret. Don’t tell Aunt Kate or Uncle Mitch, OK?”
    Anna nodded, her reflection in the bathroom mirror grinning. She had a gap where she’d lost her first baby tooth in the top row. (She’d been a little disappointed when the Tooth Fairy left only two coins under her pillow. Many of her friends had richer, more generous Tooth Fairies at their houses.) “I can’t wait! I can’t wait! Do you think he’ll like me?”
    “Your dad will like you because you’re a phenomenal little girl.” Joely layered the left section of blond hair over the middle, pulling tight.
    “Ow.” Anna jerked. Joely apologized and Anna returned to their conversation. “What are we going to do?”
    Right strand over the middle, left over the middle, pull taut. Almost done. Thank God her joints were working today. For some reason, she wanted Anna to look her best when Jake saw her for the first time. “I already told you, we’ll go to the zoo. And I’ll stay with you the whole time in case. . . .” Why had she hinted that this might not go well? She needed to put on a happy face for Anna’s sake.
    “In case what?”
    In case you’re uncomfortable being around your own father. Or in case Jake decides he isn’t up for an all-day outing with a five-year-old. She wrapped the neon yellow elastic around the end of the braid three times. “I meant that the three of us will stay together.”
    “Like a family.”
    Joely flinched. She hoped she was doing the right thing. More importantly, she hoped that Jake was ready to do the right thing.
    When the doorbell rang, Anna sprinted to answer it. No fear. Ah, to be five again. Joely hurried behind her. Through the narrow window outlining the door, Joely spotted Jake, sporting Ray-Bans and a windbreaker. His sunglasses alone probably cost more than Joely’s entire outfit. He stood stiff, well aware that he wasn’t exactly welcome. She opened the door.
    Suddenly shy, Anna pressed her body against Joely’s leg. Anna craned her head back to see his face. “Are you my dad?”
    Jake removed his sunglasses, revealing the tiny scar just below his right eye, the scar he’d received as a child from his cousin’s wayward fishhook. He extended his long arm, fingers splayed open. “You must be Anna. I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
    Anna placed her tiny hand in his and shook it,