Member-only story
Late Bloom
Father After Forty
The diaper leaked again. Elliott’s navy suit pants now sported a wet spot above the knee. He closed his eyes and counted to five, a technique his therapist had suggested. When he opened them, three-year-old Lily was staring up at him, brown eyes wide with that blend of apology and defiance only toddlers master.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“It’s okay, peanut.” He dabbed at the spot with a baby wipe, knowing it would do nothing. The clock read 7:43 AM. His meeting was at 9:00 downtown. He needed to leave in twelve minutes to make it. He still had to change and drop Lily at daycare.
“Diane? Seen my gray slacks?” he called toward the bedroom.
No answer. His wife had left at 5:30 for her hospital shift. Thursday meant he was the morning parent, a role that still felt foreign.
“Come on, Lily. Daddy needs to change.” He scooped her up, and she immediately grabbed his tie.
“Blue,” she said, patting the silk.
“Yes, blue. Like your eyes.”
“My eyes are brown.”
“Right. Like Mommy’s. Daddy’s tired.”
Forty-six years old and standing in his bedroom with pee on his pants at 7:45 AM. If someone had predicted this future a decade ago, he would have laughed. Back then…
