He smiled gently.
“A little more time.”
“You’ve been saying that for years.”
“Because I want to be a good father.”
I kissed him.
“That’s why I married you.”
I trusted him completely.
I had no idea that the real reason behind his hesitation had nothing to do with our finances.
—
About a month before everything changed, a new neighbor moved into the house across the street.
Her name was Dakota.
She was twenty-nine, cheerful, and seemed eager to make friends in the neighborhood.
One afternoon, she appeared at our front door holding a plate of homemade cookies.
“Hi! I’m Dakota. I just moved in across the street.”
I smiled.
“Welcome! I’m Jennifer, and this is my husband, Tony.”
Dakota offered us the cookies.
“I made too many and thought I’d share.”
Tony tasted one.
“These are amazing. You’re welcome to bring cookies anytime.”
