Father’s Day had always been special, but this year changed everything. I picked up my five-year-old daughter, Lily, from preschool, and she hit me with something unexpected:
“Daddy, can we invite my real dad to dinner?”
Shocked, I asked what she meant.
“He comes when you’re at work. He brings me chocolate and plays tea party. Mommy cooks for him too. You know him—he said he’s my real daddy.”
I froze—but stayed calm for her.
“Let’s play a game,” I said. “Invite him for dinner on Sunday. But don’t tell Mommy—it’ll be our secret.”
She giggled and agreed.
That Sunday, I set the stage. Told Jess I’d be gone all day. At 6:07 p.m., the doorbell rang.
