Knowing my mother—as well as my father—would kill me if they didn’t get to spend some time with Kadee while she was here, I dropped Kadee off at my parent’s house for some quality time.

My mom had a day of baking and gardening planned for them both and though Kadee hadn’t really wanted to stay with them, once there was mention of cookies she changed her tune rather quickly. To be fair Kadee didn’t know either of them that well so there was bound to be some nerves. But I had a job that I couldn’t afford to miss out on despite Kadee’s complaints on the drive there. However with the warm greeting and the promise of activities my mom had planned, had finally convinced her the stay was worthwhile. I hugged and kissed my baby girl goodbye, thanked my mom, and rushed off.

It was just my luck, while I was on route to the job, that they called to cancel. Some other delays in the pipeline meant I wouldn’t be needed for another week. I cursed and pondered my day again taking the turn back to my house.

I was happy to let Kadee have the time bonding with her gran and pop, and I knew it would mean the world to them both. And I couldn’t help but wish it was always like this, Kadee with me, able to play in the garden, in the fresh air, with the chance to get to know my side of the family. Maybe even meet some of her cousins. But that was probably never going to happen, I thought, resigning myself that I would still need to move out west in order to see my baby girl more than once or twice a year.

Deciding to let my parents have their time with their youngest granddaughter, the thought of Georgie crossed my mind. Though in all honesty, I had not really stopped thinking of her. The memories of our times together seemed to ease my worries, making me hopeful. There was something about her that I craved and couldn’t shake. Her stubborn attitude drove me insane and yet I wouldn’t have her any other way.

I pulled into the driveway thinking I would love to do something nice for Georgie while she was away, to show my affections for her, to say thank you for making me stop and enjoy the simple things, and not be so consumed by worry all the time. I glanced over at her empty house, an idea taking form. Maybe the greatest way for me to do that was with what I knew best. Nodding, I promptly jumped out the truck, retrieved my supplies from the garage, strapped on my tool belt, and got to work.

I was well underway tearing out the steps of the porch when my phone rang.

“Derek, hey, can you hear me? God this line is terrible.”

“Karen?”

“Yeah, okay I have to be quick. We’re cutting the honeymoon short. There’s a hurricane on the way, we have to get out of here, fast.”

“Are you serious?”

“So the only flight we could get lands us on the east coast tomorrow, but that works out so that we drive down to you and pick Kadee up before flying home.”

“What? But I have another week with her.”

“You don’t if we are taking her home. I’m escaping from imminent danger here and you’re worried about another week of babysitting?”

As ever, her blasé tone instantly irritated me. “I’m not babysitting. She’s my god damn daughter!”

“Well I’m sure you’ve had a fine time hammering nails together, but it’s all arranged. I’ll let you know the times on the day. Listen I have to go, things are complete mayhem here.”

Infuriated I slammed down the length of wood I still held in my other hand before I was tempted to smash it over something. As I stood, squeezing the life out of my mobile, I tried to absorb the news. I had always wanted Kadee in my life, but this past week had been so amazing it choked me up thinking of her leaving again so soon. We had already been making fun plans for next week, I couldn't bear to think of her face when I told her that we had to cancel.

There had to be a better way.

I threw myself back into the work as I struggled with my thoughts, what if I couldn’t get my plan together and move out west? What about Georgie if I did? Getting custody of my little girl was a long shot and it felt like time was running out. Things felt such a mess when only yesterday it all felt like a wonderful dream.

I lost track of time and my progress on Georgie’s porch steps was slow as my mind bounced from problem to problem, and typically as if echoing my mood, the weather turned and it started to rain heavily. Water washed over the porch and puddles began to form in the dirt I had exposed. It quickly began to look like an unpleasant swamp with rotten wood and mud all around.

Just marvelous. I wouldn’t be able to set the concrete footings in this weather and the rain would set the work back for a few days. This was not going to be the best welcome home for Georgie.

“What the hell are you doing?” came the sudden loud challenge from behind me, followed by the slam of a car door.

I hadn’t noticed Georgie driving up while I’d stood in the rain inspecting the half-finished job. But now she was here, she was advancing up her path with a bewildered and angry look on her face.

“Georgie, hey. I hadn’t planned for things to look like this, I thought you’d be out longer.”

“Oh I’m sorry, did you need more time to rip my house apart?”

“Wait just a second. This is going to be great when it’s finished. And you know these steps are a hazard, I was only trying to help.”

“Yes I’m very well aware of that. What do you think I have in the truck there? I bought supplies. I’m on this, I don’t need you to intervene. What did you think, we sleep together and you have free reign over all my affairs? To think, I was trying to help you out today with Kadee, but that was only because you knew about it. I didn’t go around your back.”

“Maybe I don’t need you interfering in my affairs either. Hell, if you hadn’t thrown your money at this house, I’d be okay! Things were just great before you arrived!” I spat back, the accumulation of all my frustrations sharpening to a point, aimed directly at her.

Her angry brow furrowed once more. “What the fuck is that suppose to mean?”

“It means, you kind of ruined everything, okay? Like women always do!”

“I’ve had enough.” She didn’t want to hear another word, holding out her hand she stormed off furiously toward her back door. I didn’t watch her leave this time, too angry to take the words back, I snatched up my tools and headed home instead.

Seriously, how come every time I tried to help out things turned bad? Was I best staying out of it? If Kadee was leaving again I knew I wanted to desperately turn my mind to my moving plans. I didn’t even know how Georgie could fit into that… But I couldn't worry about Georgie, or how she blew everything out of proportion, right now. It was getting late and I needed to pick up Kadee. If tomorrow was going to be my last day with my daughter, every hour with her counted even more.

* * *

“Daddy!”

My mom opened the door and Kadee rushed out into my waiting arms.

“Hey baby, how have you been? Did you have fun?”

“She’s been a darling,” Mom replied.

“I like my new nana. She let me eat cookie dough, then I had two warm cookies, but we saved some for you, Georgie too.”

“Well that’s sweet, you wanted to share huh?”

“This Georgie sounds nice. Anything I should know about? I have been hearing about her all day. She sounds a darn sight better than, you know who.” My mom’s poorly veiled venom for my ex reared its ugly head as ever and I swallowed a groan.

With Kadee held in my arms I turned her away from my mother’s sour tone, giving her a look aimed to curb any onslaught. Georgie was not the best subject for me this evening. And neither was Karen, come to think of it.

“You know she’d be a darn sight better off here, with family. I mean just look at you two.”

Trying to keep the swelling emotion out of my voice, I coughed before I could reply. “It’s going to be okay Mom, don’t worry. We should get home,” I said cutting off any debate.

Softening somewhat, she handed over the box of cookies, I thanked her and kissed my mom’s cheek farewell.

Getting Kadee home I set about the task of relaying the news of her mother’s arrival and her early departure. With a heavy sigh I sat her down and began.

“Kadee, honey. We’ve had a great time this week haven’t we?”

“Uh huh,” she replied with a smile, though I could see her childlike intuition already knowing that daddy had bad news. “I don’t want to go back. I want to stay here. Forever.”

Her small little remark struck me like a sharp arrow in the heart, I didn’t want her to go back either I wanted to keep her and hold her forever too.

“I know, sweetie. The thing is your mom is going to be picking you up the day after tomorrow.”

Kadee’s expression dropped as did my heart under the weight of another painful volley.

“No, no. I don’t want to. Can’t I stay here with you, Daddy?” Her tears were already forming while I fought mine back, the lump in my throat begging me not to say another word.

“You’re going to be fine honey. You’ll be back home with your friends, you’ll have your real bedroom again with all your toys.”

“This is my home too. I like it better here. Georgie is my friend,” Kadee sniffed through her tears.

“She is yes, and she really likes you. But Georgie has her life, and you have to go home. I promise I am going to be with you as soon as I can, I love you so much baby girl.” I hugged her close as she began to sob. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay,” I said, wondering if I was lying to my little girl. How could it ever be okay when I was thousands of miles away from her?

“Can we see Georgie?” Kadee asked after what felt like a lifetime of tears.

“I don’t think we can see her tonight. But I promise you’ll see her tomorrow, though.” Somehow…