Within Reach

She didn’t doubt the sincerity behind Michael’s words, but the lack of emotion in his voice was yet another marker of how flat he was. He’d taken a year off work after Billie’s death to provide some stability and continuity for the children. As equal partner in an architecture firm with two other architects, he’d been fortunate that he’d been in a position to do so. At the time Angie had applauded the decision but now, with the benefit of the new perspective provided by her six-week absence, she wasn’t so sure.

“Did I miss anything while I was away?”

Michael shrugged. “Like what?”

“Eva was talking about starting ballet again. How did that go?”

“She changed her mind.”

“But she was so keen.”

He shrugged again. “You know how kids are.”

The doorbell echoed through the house before she could ask any more questions.

“That’ll be her now.”

He left to answer the door. Unable to stop herself, she slid off the stool and crossed to the stack of dirty dishes. The dishwasher was full of clean dishes, and she started stacking them in the cupboards. She was as familiar with Billie’s kitchen as she was her own and she’d emptied the top rack by the time Michael returned, Eva trailing in his wake.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Angie said, scooping Eva into her arms. “I missed you so much.”

Eva’s arms tightened around her with surprising strength, her head burrowing into her chest.

“I missed you, too, Auntie Angie.”

Angie smoothed a hand over her hair and squeezed her as tightly. She met Michael’s gaze over his daughter’s head and offered him a faint, sympathetic smile. He didn’t respond, simply dropped Eva’s school bag on top of the rubble on the table and went to the fridge.

“How was school?” Angie asked, tucking a strand of hair behind Eva’s ear.

“It was okay. Dad, I got invited to Imogen’s birthday today. It’s going to be a fairy party. I can go, can’t I?”

“When is it?” Michael piled ingredients on the counter—carrots, zucchini, onions.

“Not this Saturday but the one after that, I think.” Eva pulled a crumpled invitation from her uniform pocket and handed it over.

He glanced at it briefly. “Okay. Remind me to take you shopping for a present beforehand.”

“Okay. I will. And I’ll stick the invitation here, too.” She gave her father a significant look before using a magnet to fix the paper to the fridge door. “See? It’s right here.”

“Yeah, I got that, Eva.” There was a note of impatience in his voice, but even that was subdued. Angie watched him, worried.

Michael started grating a carrot. He glanced up, almost as though he sensed her regard. “You staying for dinner?”

“Sure. Thanks. Can I help with anything?”

“Nope. It’s just spaghetti, nothing fancy.”

Eva groaned. “Not spaghetti again.”

Michael ignored his daughter’s complaint, grabbing a saucepan and filling it with water. Angie felt a tug on the knee of her jeans and looked down to find Charlie peering at her.

“Up, up!” he said, arms held high.

Clearly, Kung Fu Panda’s attractions had waned.

She ducked to lift him, receiving a whiff of ripe diaper as she settled him into her arms. “Wow. Someone’s been busy.” She lifted his T-shirt and pulled his diaper away from his back to do a visual check. What she saw was not pretty.

Michael raised his eyebrows. “Does he need changing?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Right.” He started drying his hands.

“I can take care of it,” Angie offered quickly.

“You’re sure?”

“Of course. We’ll be back in five, won’t we, Mr. Stinky Bum?” She jiggled Charlie on her hip as she made her way toward his nursery. The blind was drawn in here, too, giving the room an oppressive, claustrophobic feeling. She flicked on the light, then lifted the blind as high as it would go. Sunshine streamed into the room and some of the tightness left her chest.

Poor Michael. And poor Eva and Charlie.

“What you doin’, Angie?” he asked in his bright baby voice, eyes wide and inquisitive.

“Letting some sunshine in, little monkey.”

She lay Charlie on his change table and tugged off his jeans. She pulled off the soiled diaper and dropped it in the bin.

“Here.” Eva passed a fresh diaper to her, along with the box of baby wipes for the mop-up operation. Angie hadn’t realized she’d followed her.

“Hey, thanks.” Angie gave the little girl a grateful smile.

“It smells.” Eva waved a hand in front of her face.

“Yes, indeed, it does. Your little brother has a gift.”

She cleaned him up while Charlie stared at her with a beatific smile and Eva hovered behind her.

“Can I ask a favor, Auntie Angie?” Eva asked after a few seconds.

“Of course you can. You can ask me anything.”

“Will you remind Daddy about the party?”

Angie dusted powder over Charlie’s nether regions, glancing at Eva. “Sure. But I’m pretty sure your dad will remember all on his own.”

“No, he won’t. He said he’d take me to see the new Miley Cyrus movie and he didn’t. And he promised he’d take me roller skating and we didn’t do that, either.”

Michael had always been a great father. Attentive, playful, protective. He was indulgent when he needed to be, firm when it counted—and he always did whatever was necessary to make his children feel happy and safe. Hearing that he’d let Eva down on more than one occasion recently brought the tight feeling back to Angie’s chest.