Her Son, Not Ours

Chapter 2

That afternoon was the kindergarten's mid-year performance.

This was the first big moment in Nina's life.

She'd been practicing her part as a little bunny in the school play for a whole month.

"Mom, is Dad really coming today?"

Nina sat in the makeup chair backstage, as the teacher dabbed rosy blush onto her cheeks.

"He promised he would."

I fussed with the fuzzy bunny ears perched on top of her head.

Before we left, Benjamin sent a message saying he would definitely be there by 3 p.m.

Nina visibly brightened when she saw the message.

She even stuffed the torn, incomplete memory book into her little backpack.

"I'm going to wait until the show is over and ask Dad to write me another nice sentence."

At 2:30 p.m., parents began filing into the auditorium.

I sat in the third row by the aisle, with an empty seat beside me.

It was saved for Benjamin.

By 2:50 p.m., the seat was still empty.

I took out my phone and sent Benjamin a message.

Julia: The show's about to start. Where are you?

No reply.

At 3 p.m., the music started and the host stepped onto the stage.

Nina's performance was third.

I looked toward the backstage entrance, where Nina was peeking out from backstage.

Her eyes searched the audience anxiously.

She saw me, then looked at the empty seat beside me.

Her little shoulders slumped instantly.

At 3:15, Nina went onstage.

She wore a white bunny onesie and hopped and bounced through the moves she had rehearsed.

But her eyes stayed fixed on the auditorium doors.

Until the act ended, those doors never opened.

My phone buzzed.

Benjamin's message finally arrived.

Benjamin: Amelia's ex-husband showed up at her company making a scene. She can't handle it alone, so I have to go deal with it.

Benjamin: Take more videos of Nina's performance. I'll watch them when I get home tonight.

I stared at the black text on the white screen, without even the energy to be angry.

I replied with one word.

Julia: Okay.

After the performance, parents went up onto the stage to give their children flowers and take photos.

I carried a bouquet of sunflowers onto the stage and handed it to Nina.

Nina held the flowers and looked at the happy family of three beside her.

"Dad still didn't come."

"It's okay. I'm here," I said, kneeling down to her eye level.

Nina shook her head.

"Mom, I don't want Dad to write the memory book anymore."

She zipped her backpack shut.

I took her hand and walked her out of the kindergarten.

The early summer wind blew against my face, a little hot and dry.

As we passed a traffic light, a familiar black Mercedes stopped in the opposite lane.

It was Benjamin's car.

The window was halfway down.

I clearly saw Amelia sitting in the passenger seat.

Benjamin was turned sideways, pulling out a tissue.

He gently wiped the tears from the corners of Amelia's eyes.

Amelia leaned against his shoulder.

The light turned green, and the car drove smoothly past us.

Nina didn't see. She was looking down, stepping on the crosswalk.

"Mom, what are we having for dinner?" she asked, looking up.

"What do you want?"

"I want barbecue ribs."

"Okay, let's go buy some ribs."

I took her hand and walked into the grocery store nearby.

At 8 p.m., Benjamin pushed open the front door.

"Is Nina asleep?"

"Mhm." I was sitting on the couch folding clothes.

He walked over and put a beautifully wrapped paper bag on the coffee table.

"Amelia's ex-husband is a jerk. He almost got physical." He rubbed his brow as he explained.

I didn't respond.

"This is a make-up gift for Nina." He pointed at the bag. "See if she likes it."

I put down the clothes and took the bag.

I opened it. Inside was a pink princess dress.

The size was 8.

Nina was only 6 years old, about 3'9" tall. Even a size 6 would have been too big for her.

"What's wrong?" Benjamin frowned when I didn't speak.

I put the dress back in the bag.

"It's nice."