My 5-Year-Old Wants to Invite ‘Her Real Dad’ to Our Father’s Day Dinner
My best friend since college. My fishing buddy. My daughter’s “Uncle Adam.”
“Hey… bro. Wow, didn’t know you’d be home. What a surprise!”
Behind him, Jess walked up the path. She froze.
“Danny?! What are you—?”
I forced a smile. “Come on in, buddy. My best friend. We were just about to eat.
Adam paled. Jess looked ready to collapse. I gestured toward the table.
“Dinner’s hot. Don’t let it go cold.”
Lily was already seated, kicking her legs, beaming. “I told him it’d be fun!” she chirped.
Adam sat stiffly. Jess avoided my eyes. I poured wine, filling Adam’s glass to the brim.
“So,” I said, sitting across from him. “Been busy?”
“Yeah,” he said, voice cracking. “Work’s been nuts.”
I nodded. “Not too busy to visit, though.”
“What does that mean?” Adam asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just heard you’ve been around. Chocolates. Dinners. Tea parties.”
Jess jumped in. “He just stopped by once or twice. Lily loves visitors.”
“Just once or twice?” I asked, locking eyes with Adam.
“Maybe… three times,” he mumbled.
“Right. No big deal. Just a guy stopping by to see his daughter.”
The air thickened. Jess’s fork froze. Adam set down his wine, hands trembling.
“What are you talking about?” Jess whispered.
I turned to Lily.
“Sweetheart, who’s Adam?”
She giggled. “He’s my real daddy!”
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