My Dad Brought His First Love Back

Fiona moved in on a Wednesday.Dad walked her into the living room holding her hand, like he was introducing a new piece of furniture."Helena, this is Fiona. Old friend from college. Nina's starting first grade and I want her ahead of the curve. Fiona's going to help out."Mom was chopping vegetables. The knife paused.She didn't look up. All she said was two words."Whatever you want."I already knew who Fiona was.Dad had a whole album of her on his phone.Mom had seen it once. She cried all night, and Dad slammed the door and stayed gone for three days.After that, Mom never touched Dad's phone again.Fiona was pretty. She had one of those soft, sweet voices.She crouched down and ruffled my hair. "Hey, Nina. How about I teach you how to draw, sweetheart?"I ducked behind Mom. I didn't say a word.I didn't like her.Because every time Mom cried, it was because of her.Fiona took the guest room upstairs.The first night, I got up to use the bathroom. I passed her door, and light was

Fiona didn't move out.If anything, she was bolder than before.After Dad signed, it was like he had something to prove.He moved her things into the room right next to the master bedroom.At dinner he put her at the head of the table.Mom sat in the corner, quietly eating her little bowl of oatmeal.That was all she could keep down anymore.Rice was too hard to chew. Meat wouldn't go down.She could maybe finish half a bowl, and only of that.Fiona made braised short ribs. She set the plate right in front of me."Try some, Nina. Your dad said ribs are your favorite."I picked up my bowl. I finished my oatmeal. I put down my spoon."I'm full."Fiona's face dropped.Dad slammed his hand on the table."Nina. Fiona made this for you. Eat it."I shook my head.Mom had told me, don't eat anything she didn't make.Dad slammed the table again, louder."Helena! Look what you're turning this kid into."Mom set her bowl down and said it flat."She's not hungry. Stop pushing her."Dad glared at M

Dad paused."What? Where?"Fiona's voice came in close. "Alex, the gallery opening's starting any minute, just come with me —"Dad hesitated."Nina, have your teacher take her to the hospital. Daddy can't get away right now. I'll come by later."He didn't come.Not later, not at all.When Mom woke up in the ER, the only people there were me and another kid's mom from school.The first thing she said wasn't about herself.She asked, "Nina, did you have dinner?"I shook my head.Mom got the nurse to buy me something from the vending machine.Then she lay back on the bed and made a phone call."Mr. Bennett. Could you come by the hospital tomorrow? I have some papers I need signed."Mom was in the hospital for three days.Dad came once.He stayed less than twenty minutes.Fiona stood at the door without coming in, but her heels were loud.Dad picked up Mom's chart and frowned."This is bad. Why didn't you say anything?"Mom was propped against the pillow, staring at the ceiling."If I had,

Mom's funeral was cheap and small.Dad was busy handling the business associates who came to pay respects, all stock phrases and handshakes.Fiona stood next to him in a black dress, head down, putting on a sad face.But I noticed her eyes were rimmed in a soft pink — not from crying, but from makeup.The funeral home had people moving through it all day.I sat on a little stool in front of Mom's photo. I didn't move.A few men in suits pulled Dad aside, talked low in his ear."Mr. Caldwell. Sorry for your loss. Those shares and assets in her name... what's the plan there?""Yeah, we need to clean up the equity structure soon, or it'll screw up the next funding round after the new year."They thought they were being quiet. I heard every word.The day the funeral ended, Dad called me into the study.Fiona was in there too.She was sitting in Mom's chair, legs crossed.Dad cleared his throat and made his voice sound kind."Nina. Your mom's gone. Dad is hurting too. But you're still littl

My eighteenth birthday. No cake, no candles.Dad forgot.Fiona forgot.They were screaming at each other in the living room.Dad was calling Fiona a money pit.Fiona was calling Dad a deadbeat.I stood on the stairs and looked at them for a moment.Then I went back to my room and opened the letter Mom had left me twelve years ago.The paper had gone yellow.Mom's handwriting was neat, but there were places where her hand had clearly shaken."Nina. Mom's been gone a long time by now. You're eighteen. You're a grown-up. The thing Mom is most sorry about is not getting to watch you grow up. But Mom left you enough. Spend it on yourself. Don't go soft. Don't look back. Mom loves you. Always."She'd drawn a wobbly heart at the bottom.Next to it: Happy birthday, Nina.She'd written this letter knowing exactly what day this would be.I held the letter to my chest and closed my eyes for a second.I took a long breath.Then I picked up my phone and texted Mr. Bennett."Mr. Bennett. I'm ready."