Chapter 19 - DAD AND THE BABY
Dad became obsessed with being a good grandfather.
This was dangerous.
He bought:
A stroller that cost more than my first car.
A hand-built crib.
Sixteen stuffed animals.
I made him return thirteen.
He complained.
“You’re suppressing generosity.”
“You’re cluttering my nursery.”
He returned twelve.
Compromise.
Then one afternoon the baby cried while Dad was holding them.
Dad immediately handed the baby to me.
“Why?”
“They want you.”
“How do you know?”
“They’re crying.”
“Try calming them.”
He looked alarmed.
“What if I do it wrong?”
I stared.
Ronan.
Powerful.
Rugged.
Terrifying to grown men.
Defeated by an infant making a face.
“Walk.”
He walked.
“Bounce a little.”
He bounced like he was carrying explosives.
The baby stopped crying.
Dad froze.
Then smiled.
That moment mattered because Duncan once said:
As long as the baby is gone, he’s free.
Dad had once behaved like protection meant removing every obstacle for me.
Now he learned care could mean staying through discomfort.
Not fixing.
Not controlling.
Holding.
May you like
Small.
Hard.
