Ryan’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he glanced at the rearview mirror. Debby was singing softly to herself, her curls bouncing as she leaned against the car door. Damien sat stiffly, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed out the window.
“Alright, gang,” Ryan said with forced enthusiasm, “who’s ready for the zoo?”
Debby’s face lit up. “Me! I want to see the giraffes!”
Damien shrugged, barely acknowledging him. Ryan swallowed his disappointment and focused on making the day memorable.
At the zoo, Ryan pulled out all the stops—buying ice cream, letting Debby sit on his shoulders to see the elephants, and even humoring Damien’s quiet insistence on visiting the reptile house.
“Snakes are cool,” Damien said, staring into the glass enclosure.
“They’re scary,” Debby said, clutching Bunny tightly.
Ryan crouched beside them, his voice gentle. “Everyone likes different things. That’s what makes the world interesting.”
Debby nodded thoughtfully, while Damien remained reserved.
As they walked toward the lion exhibit, Damien suddenly asked, “Why don’t you live with us anymore?”
The question hung in the air like a thunderclap. Ryan froze, glancing at Debby, who was obliviously skipping ahead.
“Things are complicated, buddy,” Ryan said carefully. “But I love you and your sister. That’s never going to change.”
Damien frowned, kicking at the gravel. “Mom doesn’t talk about you much. She says you hurt her.”
Ryan’s heart sank. “I made mistakes,” he admitted, his voice low. “Big ones. But I’m trying to make up for them now.”
Damien looked at him for a long moment before shrugging. “Okay.”
________________
Back at Amelia’s house, she sat on the porch, sorting through laundry while the sun set behind her. The sound of tires crunching on gravel caught her attention, and she looked up to see Ryan pulling into the driveway.
Debby bounded out of the car, waving a small bracelet. “Look what Mr. Hayes gave me, Mom!” she said excitedly.
Amelia smiled faintly, holding out her hand to examine the trinket. “It’s lovely, sweetie. Why don’t you go wash up for dinner?”
Debby darted inside, leaving Ryan standing awkwardly near the porch steps.
“Mr. Hayes,” Ryan said bitterly, his eyes narrowing. “Seems like he’s pretty involved in their lives.”
Amelia’s smile vanished. “The twins deserve stability, and James has been nothing but kind to them. You don’t get to waltz in and decide who’s good for them now.”
Ryan opened his mouth to retort, but the sight of Damien peering out from the window silenced him.
“Just go home, Ryan,” Amelia said softly, turning away.