Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 75

Chapter 55-2

Chapter 55-2

Hi Mr. Jason! I hope you’re having a good day! I drew a new picture today. Want to see?

I stare at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard.

I should keep my response short. Professional. Create distance so he doesn’t get more attached.

But I find myself typing: I’d love to see it. Send it over.

The picture arrives seconds later. It’s a drawing of three people-a woman with long hair labeled “MOM,” a small figure labeled “ME,” and a tall man in what looks like a suit and very carefully drawn shiny shoes labeled “DAD.”

The man’s face has a small smile, and yes, I can’t be mistaken about this, my eyes. And there are

hearts. So many hearts floating around all three figures.

My throat tightens.

Another text comes through: Do you like it? I worked really hard on the shoes. I wanted to make them

extra shiny.

Me: It’s perfect, Jake. You’re very talented.

Jake: Thank you, Mr. Jason! Aunt Sophia says I can’t show it to mom because it makes her sad.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

Before I can respond, another message appears: Mr. Jason, can I ask you something?

Me: Of course. You can ask me anything.

Jake: There’s a parent-teacher conference at my school next Friday. All the other kids’ daddys will be

there. But mine can’t come because mom says he’s not allowed and also because he’s a bad dad

anyway.

I can practically hear his voice saying those words, that matter-of-fact tone he uses when discussing his father.

Jake: So… could you come instead? As my dad? Just for one day? Please?

I stare at the message, my heart pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.

He wants me at his school conference…

As his dad.

The honor of it nearly breaks me. This kid-this brilliant, sweet, resilient kid-wants me to stand in

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as his father. Trusts me enough to fill that role, even temporarily.

But Sabrina…

Sabrina made it clear she wants me to keep my distance. That Jake is getting too attached, that I’m going to hurt him when I inevitably walk away.

She doesn’t believe I’ll stick around. Doesn’t trust my intention to date her is true and sincere.

And maybe she’s right to be cautious. Maybe she’s being the responsible parent, protecting her son from potential heartbreak.

It’s possible my feelings now won’t be the same three months later.

But God, this is killing me.

My phone buzzes again: Mr. Jason? Are you still there?

Me: I’m here. I’m just thinking.

Jake: I know mom doesn’t want you around. But she doesn’t have to know right now. The conference

is during the day when she’s at work. You could come and then when she comes, it’ll be rude for her to

send you away when you came all this way just for me.

The suggestion makes my chest ache. He’s willing to hide it from his mother just to have me there.

Jake: Please? All the other kids will have their dads there. I don’t want to be the only one without a dad

again.

The words gut me.

I think about Jake sitting alone at his parent-teacher conference last year, watching all his

classmates with both parents, feeling that absence like a wound.

I think about him coming home and probably crying into his pillow because he didn’t want to make

Sabrina feel bad about something that wasn’t her fault.

I think about how much courage it must have taken for him to ask me this. To risk rejection from

My fingers move before my brain catches up: What time is the conference?

Jake: 2 PM! Does that mean you’ll come????

I close my eyes, knowing I’m about to cross a line I shouldn’t cross.

But I can’t say no to this kid. I don’t want to be another adult in his life who disappoints him, who

lets him down when he needs him most.

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Even if it means going behind Sabrina’s back. Even if it means she’ll hate me for it.

I want to be there for Jake.

Me: I’ll be there.

Jake: REALLY?? YOU’LL REALLY COME??

Me: I promise. I’ll be there.

Jake: YAY!! You’re the best Mr. Jason!!! I’m going to show you all my artwork and introduce you to my

teacher and EVERYTHING!

The excitement in his messages makes me smile despite the guilt churning in my gut.

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