Chapter 2

Vivian quickly bent down to calm Tammy down. "Don't cry, Tammy. We can always buy another crown. I can see your drawing's torn… Let me tape it back together, okay?"

As she spoke, she reached out and took the torn drawing from Tammy's arms. However, Tammy lunged forward to grab them back.

Vivian let go, and both pieces fell into the flame of the scented candle still burning at the edge of the table. Flames immediately started to burn the corner of the paper.

As I slapped out the flames with my bare hand, the thick smoke made Tammy cough. She had very sensitive airways, and had mild asthma. She could not tolerate the smoke.

One of the three figures in the drawing had already burned away.

Tammy looked at the part of the drawing that survived and finally burst into tears. "Mom! Dad's gone!"

Vivian hurriedly grabbed a tissue and held it out. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to. Tammy, can you draw another one?"

I hit her hand away. "Get out."

Wilson left Leonard with her and said quietly, "Take him to the guest room first. I'll talk to Nora."

Once the bedroom door was closed, he took hold of my wrist. "That's enough. Vivian already apologized."

I pulled my hand away. "Can't you see Tammy crying?!"

"So what if she cries for a little while?" Wilson lowered his voice. "Vivian has been emotionally unstable since her divorce. Do you have to throw her out in front of Leonard? What if you upset her?"

I looked at him. "Then what about Tammy?"

"She has both of us. She has never missed out on anything." After a pause, Wilson added, "Stop raising her to be so sensitive. If she makes a fuss over a drawing and a crown, how is she going to get along with others in the future?"

Tammy's crying suddenly stopped in the bedroom.

I turned and found Tammy standing behind the door.

She lowered her head and folded the damaged drawing before slipping it into her costume's pocket as she said, "Dad, I won't make a fuss anymore."

Wilson looked uncomfortable and reached out to hug her. However, Tammy stepped back and closed the door instead.

-

The next day, Tammy's kindergarten teacher called to say she had been crying in the bathroom for a long time and would not come out.

I rushed straight to the school, not wanting to waste time stopping to ask more questions.

As I reached the office door, I heard two teachers talking inside.

"I saw the live broadcast too. Leonard's mom and Mr. Gomez really did look like a family."

"But isn't Mr. Gomez Tammy's dad?"

"Leonard has been telling everyone that Mr. Gomez is his father today, too. Some of the kids even laughed at Tammy and said her dad likes Leonard better."

When I pushed open the door, Tammy was already in the office. As soon as she saw me, she ran over and held my hand.

The teachers quickly fell silent.

"We're so sorry, Mrs. Gomez. The children didn't know any better. We've already told them that's unacceptable."

I crouched down and asked Tammy, "Did anyone bully you?"

She shook her head.

However, the teacher hesitated. Then, she took out a drawing. It showed a man in blue holding Leonard's hand while pushing Tammy away.

"One of the children in her class drew this. When Tammy saw it, she locked herself in the bathroom and refused to come out."

My chest tightened.

Before I could speak, Wilson walked in with Vivian.

Vivian's eyes were red as she said, "There was a misunderstanding with the broadcast. Leonard has had little of a father in his life. He called Wilson his dad without thinking it through."

Wilson took over. "It's just a little squabble between kids. There's no need to make such a big deal out of it."

I handed him the drawing. "Your daughter is being made fun of by the entire class, saying she doesn't have a dad. Is that a little squabble too?"

He glanced at the drawing and frowned slightly. "I'll explain it to Tammy."

Leonard darted out from behind Vivian and grabbed Wilson's hand. "Daddy Wilson, the teacher said I can't call you that anymore."

Wilson crouched down. "That's not what the teacher meant."

"Then can I still call you that?" Leonard looked up at him hopefully.

Vivian tried to persuade him in a low voice. "Let it go. We don't want to upset Tammy. Leonard, call him Mr. Wilson from now on."

Leonard immediately burst into tears. "I don't want to call him Mr. Wilson! I want to call him Dad!"

The other parents all looked over.

Embarrassed by the attention, Wilson turned to Tammy. "Leonard will only call me that in private. He's not going to take me away from you. You're older. Let him."

Tammy stared at him, stunned. "But I'm only three months older..."

Wilson's expression darkened. "You're older, even if it's only by a day. Stop being so difficult."

His phone went off as soon as he finished speaking.

The principal had posted a message in the group chat.

[Mr. Gomez, to avoid confusion about familial relationships, please confirm which child you'll be accompanying as a parent at tomorrow's 'Dad and Me Class.']

Leonard snatched the phone and held down the button to record a voice message. "Of course, Daddy Wilson is coming with me!"

The voice message went through, and Wilson did not remove it.