“And?”
“I said no.”
Ethan looked around.
“Strong boundary.”
“Thank you.”
He leaned against the counter.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ethan said, “You’re giving her something I can’t.”
Claire stiffened.
“I don’t want you to think—”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I mean something good.”
Claire waited.
“She needs women in her life.”
His voice was quiet.
“Not because I think women have to do certain things and men can’t. I learned braids eventually.”
“Seven out of ten.”
“Eight.”
“Generous.”
He smiled.
“But there are things she wants to ask you that she won’t ask me.”
Claire nodded.
“She asks me plenty.”
“I’m sure.”
“She asked where wrinkles come from yesterday.”
“What did you say?”
“That I’d tell her when I got one.”
Ethan laughed.
Then he became serious again.
“You’re helping me too.”
“How?”
“I get a few hours where I’m not trying to work and parent at exactly the same time.”
He stared at the floor.
“I didn’t realize how tired I was until I had a Saturday afternoon where nobody needed anything from me.”
Claire understood that more than he knew.
Ethan looked at her.
“I feel guilty saying that.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m her dad.”
“You’re also a person.”
He gave her a strange look.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“That was something.”
“You say things like you’re reminding yourself too.”
Claire looked away.
He was right.
At the office, Claire’s changes had started attracting attention.
Her father called one afternoon.
“I hear you’re leaving early.”
Claire leaned back in her chair.
