Chapter 21 - Frank sees Lily later
Grandpa took longer.
Lily did not ask.
So we did not force it.
Dad complained to Melissa.
She said:
“She gets to choose.”
He called that:
“Rachel’s language.”
Melissa answered:
“No. It’s mine too.”
Progress.
At eleven months, Dad sent Lily a short video.
We approved.
He sat at his kitchen table.
No jokes.
“Hi, Lily. Grandpa wants to say I’m sorry I burned your steak on purpose and laughed at you. You didn’t deserve that. I also compared you to Ethan. That was wrong. You don’t have to answer me.”
Thirty seconds.
I showed Lily.
She watched twice.
Then:
“Why does he look sad?”
“Because he is.”
“Do I have to make him not sad?”
“No.”
That was the question.
“No.”
She nodded.
“Okay.”
Two months later, she agreed to see him at a park.
Frank did not hug her until he asked.
That alone told me he had been listening.
They fed ducks.
He brought sandwiches.
Same sandwich for Lily and Ethan when Ethan joined later.
I noticed.
Did not praise him.
May you like
Baseline behavior does not need applause.
Still, I noticed.
