OUR DAUGHTER IS OBSESSED WITH YOU

Katy stiffens a little, brushing a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. “Rainidy’s been taking it to the next level,” she says, but there’s a satisfaction in her voice, hinting at the pride she has in her daughter.

My eyes flicker from Rainidy to Katy, and I can’t stop myself from asking, “Katy, what happened to your hair?”

Her eyes flash with surprise, but she quickly masks it. “Oh, the blonde was… well, it felt like a different lifetime.”

Nodding, I state, “And people may have recognized you. Is that why you never sing in public?”

Katy’s eyes dart to mine. “My voice was never as distinct as yours—“

Cutting her off, I say, “But you were popular. We were both starting to make a name for ourselves.”

“I… I guess,” Katy murmurs with a shrug. Clearly uncomfortable with the topic.

I lean back, trying not to push but unable to keep my curiosity at bay. “Will you ever go back to your natural blonde?” I let my gaze linger on her, watching the way her cheeks color just slightly. “It suited you.”

For a split second, her gaze softens, but then she looks away, shrugging. “Maybe.” The word is light, but there’s a hint of nostalgia in her tone. She glances back at Rainidy, refocusing on her, but I can see that my words have stirred something.

“So,” I say, shifting my attention back to Rainidy, who’s been watching us with curious eyes. “Your song was impressive.”

Rainidy grins, her excitement spilling over. “Yeah? I was hoping maybe you’d like to hear it again. I mean, only if you want.”

I can’t stop my smile. “I’d love to. You know, writing songs is one of the best ways to find your voice. It’s where everything starts.”

Her face lights up, and for a moment, she looks exactly like Katy did back when we were both starting out. It reminds me of all I’ve missed and the moments I’ve lost. But at least I have this chance now.

As the conversation drifts back to Rainidy, I let myself relax, listening to her talk about her music class, her friends, and the bands she loves. Every word, every expression, is like a gift. She’s sharing pieces of her life that I didn’t even know I wanted so much. I glance over at Katy, and she catches my gaze. There’s something in her eyes that wasn’t there before, as if she’s letting herself finally relax.

But the unspoken questions and tension still hang between us. Twelve years is a long time, but the way I feel sitting here with her, I wonder if those years could disappear as easily as they seem to right now.

After a while, as the sun dips lower, Katy glances at the clock and starts to rise. “It’s getting late,” she says, her voice tinged with reluctance. “We should head home.”

A pang of disappointment hits me, and I glance between them, feeling the need to hold on just a little more. “How about you stay a while longer? It’s the weekend, and you’re already here. Rainidy could swim in the ocean, maybe play her song for me?” I direct my gaze at Katy, hoping she’ll pick up on the plea in my eyes.

She hesitates, looking torn. I can tell she’s balancing her protectiveness with the same tug of curiosity I feel. Then she nods, a soft sigh escaping her. “Alright. We’ll stay a little longer.”

Rainidy beams, and the tension in the room lifts just a bit. I can’t help the surge of relief that fills me. It’s a start, just one small step, but it feels like something more. This time, I’ll get a chanceto make things work—not only with Rainidy but hopefully with Katy, too.

Katy

I watch Rainidy and Rain from a distance, their heads close together on the deck. Their voices murmur easily. Rainidy’s laughter rings out now and then, a sound so free and joyful it awakens something deep inside me. This effortless connection they’ve forged in recent days feels surreal. I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, and now I’m watching it play out before me. It’s both hauntingly familiar and yet entirely new—andreal.

Rain glances back at me, catching my gaze, and waves me over. I hesitate for a second, but then I join them, easing myself onto the deck chair beside them.

Rainidy’s eyes shine as she cradles her guitar, her fingers brushing the strings. Watching her dive into music so effortlessly with Rain fills me with a bittersweet mix of prideand longing. Music used to be our special thing, but now she’s sharing it with her father. She looks up at me, still beaming. “Mom, did you know Dad can play anything by ear?”

I smile, brushing a hand over her blonde hair. “I did know that. He’s always been good with music.”

“What was that?” Rain’s eyebrow goes up. He looks from Rainidy to me. “Rainidy said you didn’t like me–didn’t like my music.”

My eyes search his, and I see a slight vulnerability. With an exaggerated eye roll, I quip, “You’re a famous rock star, and you care about my opinion?” I say doubtfully. “Fine. You’re a wonderful singer, and you have a way with music that isalmostmagical.“ I glance at him and say grudgingly, “Our daughter was obsessed with you. It made me… uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable.” Rain says thoughtfully, his eyes on mine, “Good. I’m glad it wasn’t that you didn’t appreciate my music.”

He suddenly chuckles, a warmth flickering in his gaze. It’s a look I haven’t seen in years, a reminder of simpler times. Back when I used to look at him with such adoration as if he were the sun and the moon.

I blink as our daughter suddenly jumps up, bringing us both back to the present. “I’m thirsty. I’ll bring back glasses of tea for all of us,” she calls over her shoulder as she goes into the house.

Rain’s eyes swing back to me as she leaves through the sliding glass door. “Katy,” he says, his voice hesitant, as if weighinghis next words carefully. “Would you and Rainidy consider staying here for the summer?”

The question hangs in the air between us, pulling me back to all those nights when he used to ask me to stay just a little longer to share one more song. I again have to shake off the memories. This isn’t about me. Rain wants to be close to his daughter and try to recapture some of their missed years. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m just here to facilitate their connection. But even as I tell myself this, a small part of me wonders—could he want me here too?

Clearing my throat, I state, “Rain, it’s a big step.” My words come out slowly, carefully. ‘I want to make sure it’s the right thing for Rainidy.

“I know. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was,” Rain murmurs, his eyes searching mine. “But I want to share more with her than just our love of music. I want to get to know everything about her.”

As I still hesitate, biting my lip, Rain’s gaze softens, his hand reaching out to rest lightly on mine. “I want to be here for her.”

“My job–” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“I’ll cover all costs for both of you. Surely, you could get the time off,” he urges.

Something about his words, his touch, makes me relent. I nod slowly, feeling the lifting of a weight as I make the decision. “Alright. We’ll stay for the summer.”

Rainidy approaches, carefully balancing three glasses brimming with iced tea. After she’s carefully distributed them without spilling a drop, we tell her the news. She practically vibrates with excitement at spending more time with her dad. She grabs her guitar and tries a new chord, and Rain watches her, a look of pure pride on his face. It’s a look I realize I want to see more of, even if it means having to share my daughter’s affections with him. A hollow ache settles in my chest as if a part of her is slowly slipping away.

After the final day of school lets out, we pack and head to the beach—back to Rain and his high-end, privileged lifestyle. Leah was very understanding when I told her about Rainidy’s father wanting to spend time with her. Bless her for not asking questions. I still have some misgivings about all of this, but I keep my fears to myself. I don’t want to spoil anything for Rainidy.

The first morning after we settle in, I’m in the kitchen, making breakfast while Rainidy and Rain sit on the couch, each with a guitar. He’s showing her a few new chords, gently adjusting her hands, and giving her pointers with an attentiveness that leaves me watching in quiet awe.

“She’s a quick learner,” he says, looking up at me as if to include me in their circle. “She’s got a natural gift for melody.”

I smile, though it’s laced with a hint of bittersweetness. “She’s always been able to express her feelings with music or lyrics. It’s her way of truly communicating,” I say softly, meeting his gaze. There’s a knowing–an understanding that only he could fully grasp.

Rainidy strums a few chords, then tries out a run of notes, her face lighting up when she nails it. Rain laughs, reaching over to ruffle her hair. She grins, ducking her head shyly.

As I watch them, I realize that I’m witnessing something precious—a father-daughter bond forming, something I’ve always wanted for Rainidy but feared she’d never have. And yet, it stings a little, knowing that I’m no longer her only confidant, the sole person who understands her hopes and dreams.

Rain glances over at me again once we’re alone, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Hey, I know you got her that guitar, but maybe it’s time for an upgrade? Something a little more refined.”

I try not to feel insulted because Rain can clearly afford to buy her a better-quality instrument. But still—I’m the one who hand-picked that guitar as the best beginner guitar for Rainidy that I could afford, and even then, it took months of scrimping and saving—of doing without.

I force my response to sound casual. “She’ll love anything you get her. But maybe you shouldn’t move too fast. She’s dealing with enough changes as it is.”

Rain nods thoughtfully but doesn’t comment. When Rainidy comes back, he shows her how to move her fingers up and down the frets with ease. I can see the admiration in her eyes and the awe she feels around him. The way she hangs onto his every word, soaking up his advice and encouragement as if she’s been waiting for this her whole life. And in some ways, she has.