After promising mom that I will tell Bull how glad I will be to babysit Claire, I took a deep breath and headed for college. I must say that it was the first time that Bull himself came looking for me. Finally, it wasn’t me after him.

Looking at his form speeding towards me made me feel like it had been ages since I last saw him when really it was just two days ago that I glanced upon his face. His stubble as untamed as before, his seemingly uncombed hair dancing in the air and his eyes….Oh, God, his eyes! So focused and intense. Maybe I should stop narrating this story to you guys and just dwell on this past glorious memory.

Take it from me, every good moment is short-lived. Someone will come to destroy it.

When Bull stopped in front of me, I felt like the air around me was blessed with the presence of a unicorn.

…

Am I making sense?

Nevermind, love doesn’t have to make sense.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Bull spoke out in anger.

Wait, was he angry?

“What are you talking abou-”

“You brought up the adoption idea to your parents, didn’t you?” He fired at me.

“Huh?” I was offended.

“Don’t play dumb, Sadie!”

“Excuse me!” I protested. “It was never my idea!”

“Listen,” He pointed his index finger at me. “Don’t you dare try to separate my daughter from me.”

The hell!?

“Listen, mister.” I shoved his finger away and spoke firmly. “You can have your daughter all to yourself. In fact, you can go and reproduce brothers and sisters for Claire with whoever that woman is whom you impregnated.”

Bull’s scowl intensified at the last statement.

“But don’t you dare blame me for something I haven’t done. Got it?” I finished and shouldered him aside in fury.

Hmph, I had intended to say something nice to Bull today but he ruined all that. And my bitch-mode is what he gets in return.

*

After this, things went downhill between Bull and I. I told mom about how I failed to keep my promise and how Bull made me feel offended. Time went on and Bull and I never talked. Sure, we caught glances of each other’s faces in college premises but we were pro at acting like we never knew each other. I don’t know what happened to my ‘likeness’ for Bull because during those days I never missed him. Either the likeness was gone or it was hidden for the time being.

Then one Saturday, things changed. When mom and daddy brought Claire home, I was more than astounded. How did they manage to persuade Bull to let Claire come here? In a house where there was a girl whom he hated.

Claire was astounded and confused herself. Mom told me she was one year and ten months old. Claire had wavy light brown hair, small blue eyes, pointed chin, and small perfect teeth. Although, Bull had dark brown hair, greenish-blue eyes, a W-shaped upper lip, in no way did Claire resemble him. Claire had a small snub nose whereas Bull had a long Greek-type nose. Maybe she has her mother’s looks?

My mind again wondered off to the identity of the woman. Even though I did not show it, I was curious to know who she might be. What kind of a person she would be. Was she still a part of Bull’s life?

My questions were answered by Claire’s startling cry. Faster than the speed of light, the tiny baby was crying her eyes out as mom and daddy both tried desperately to calm her. Her eyes became red and her bottom lip trembled.

“Kaylee, didn’t Bull tell you she is afraid of new places and people?” Daddy chided mom.

“I’m sorry, dear. I thought I could handle it.” Mom frantically said.

“Oh, God. What do we do now?” Daddy thought. “Look at her. It looks like she is going to faint from all the crying.”

When it was clear she wouldn’t stop lamenting her separation from her father, my parents lost their cool. “Get Bull.” Mom ordered daddy who nodded in response and sped to the front door. Considering that Bull didn’t have a cell phone, the only way to get him was to fetch him from his place.

Before daddy could even grab the handle, the bell rang and out stood the father in shining armor. We all were equally surprised to see Bull’s timely arrival.

“Thank God, Bull. You are here!” Daddy exclaimed. Bull immediately rushed towards mom and gently took Claire from her arms.

“I’m sorry.” Mom and Bull said simultaneously but not with equal emotions – mom was much more serious. Bull cradled Claire in his arms protectively and announced his presence to the baby.

“Shh, I’m here, Claire.”

Like a magic trick, Claire went silent right after and sucked on her thumb while her eyes were closed and watery. Bull removed her thumb from her mouth which earned him a cry.

“She is hungry.” He said looking at mom.

“Of course!” Mom went flying into the kitchen while Bull followed her. Daddy went after them too.

I sighed and went to my room somewhat disappointed. They spent the next three hours calming, feeding and playing with Claire. I could hear their voices from downstairs. It was as if Bull was teaching the art of caring for a baby to my parents. Well, I was eighteen so I assume my parents had forgotten this art. After three hours, when I was going to the washroom, I heard some of their conversation.

“Nathan and I always wanted a second daughter but, unfortunately, we couldn’t have a second child after Sadie.” I heard mom say.

Huh? Was it so? Did my parents always wish for a second child? Did I cause any problems? Is that why they are excited about Claire?

With these questions in my head, I went back to my room.

An hour later - when it was time to sleep - I checked my parents room for their presence and I found out they hadn’t come up to sleep. I walked downstairs and found a perplexing image in front of me.

Mom was sleeping on the sofa while Bull, Claire and daddy slept down on a Japanese futon with Claire in the middle. Technically, Bull and daddy were not even on the futon instead their bodies spread out on the rug beneath. While Bull’s hand was on top of Claire’s belly, daddy’s was on her feet. I stared and stared until I could take no more. Then I groaned and went to sleep in my room.

*

Way early in the morning, I could hear a lot of noises downstairs. Being the lazy person I was, I stayed tucked in my bed, not wanting to check what was going on. Besides, I knew it was my parents and Bull doing something. I dozed back to sleep.

Four hours later, when my alarm went off, I had no choice but to wake up. All the noise was gone so I wanted to check what had happened. After using the toilet, washing my face, brushing my teeth and combing my hair, I made my way to the kitchen downstairs. Daddy, mom and Claire were in the kitchen. They were feeding her some baby food. Bull wasn’t visible. I wondered why the baby wasn’t crying anymore. Did my parents manage to befriend her? I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.

I cleared my throat which earned me attention from both my parents.

“Oh, Sadie, dear.” Daddy beamed at me cheerfully. “You’re up. Did you have a good night’s sleep?”

I gave him no reply but I was sure I pretty much looked like the grumpy cat.

“I hope it wasn’t too noisy for you, dear.” Mom said. “We couldn’t get much sleep.”

Both my parents had tired looking sleep-deprived eyes but even then they were smiling ear to ear while attending Claire.

“Yes,” Daddy said. “This little buddy over here didn’t let us sleep.” He pinched Claire’s cheek which caused her to make an ‘about-to-cry’ face.

“Hey, hey!” Mom quickly soothed her. “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Your dada will be here soon.”

So mom is making Claire say ‘dada’ to Bull? Can I just say that I am overly jealous right now? I feel robbed by Claire.

With a bored face, I took my seat on the dining table.

“I already had your breakfast prepared, love.” Mom said, moving to the counter to grab my plate.

Isn’t she in a good mood today? Is it because she has a baby toy now? Are all women like this? Did she love me as much when I was little?

“Ahh, there you are!” Mom exclaimed when Bull entered the kitchen.

“I’m sorry. Did she cry?” He asked, moving over to Claire while wiping his hands on his pants.

“She was about to.” Mom replied.

“Yea, because I pinched her cheek.” Daddy smiled at Claire.

“Ah, she hates that.” Bull answered and daddy patted Claire’s head. When she looked at the face that had caused the disturbance on her head, she was about to cry again but Bull’s face in vision silenced her before she could open her mouth.

“Aw, it’s so cute the way she adores you.” Mom commented, pouting her lips.

“Daughters are like that.” Daddy said – looking almost reminiscent - and smiled at me. “Look how much my Sadie loves me.”

I smiled at daddy. Finally, he had noticed me.

“Yea, yea.” Mom rolled her eyes. “I understand but it causes so much distress for the wives.”

Daddy laughed and said, “Yes,” He turned to Bull, “Claire is just how Sadie used to be. I feel sorry for your –”

He paused his sentence at that because he didn’t know what to say next. ‘Your wife’? ‘Claire’s mother’? What was daddy supposed to say? It turned awkward instead with Bull’s smile disappearing and daddy’s sentence incomplete.

“Umm…” Mom came to the rescue. “Sadie.”

I looked up at her. “Yes, mom?”

“We are going to take Claire to the park. Get ready.”

She wasn’t even asking. My mom was like that.

“Um, mom, you guys can go.” I said. “I’ll stay here.”

Why should I go to the park with Bull and Claire? They both don’t like me. Bull misbehaved with me and now Claire is stealing my parents. It’s more sensible that I stay in my room and formulate a plan for survival after my parents kick me out of the house. Because I see it coming. (OK, I know I was over-reacting)

“Wear the red shirt.” Mom gave me that look and motioned me to go to my room. I frowned and looked towards daddy. He suddenly looked nervous. It dawned upon me that mom sort of insulted me before Bull. I left my breakfast, angrily pushed my chair back and ran to my room.

What is going on? I don’t even feel like I am in my own house. My parents aren’t even giving me attention. The same parents who say ‘our world resolves around you’. Hmph! It’s all because of Claire. That miserable little…

Knock, knock…

That must be daddy. He must have come to apologize about mom’s behavior – as always – and would then plead me to do as she says. Well, I am ready to have a word with him…

“Come in!” I answered with authority in my voice.

As I stood facing the wall opposite, the door was opened slowly then stopped and then opened some more. There was silence and I could feel a presence.

“Daddy, wh-” I faced the being. “You…?”

Bull stood with his lips in a thin line and his eyes shining with some emotion. I eyed him up and down trying to decipher the reason of his very first arrival into my room.

“Why are you here?” I asked impatiently.

He breathed and replied, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry..?” I pressed on.

He nodded and continued, “I am sorry for all the things I said to you in college.”

Oh, now he realizes!

“I spoke without proof or logic. Therefore, I am sorry. Please forgive me.”

“Yes, I wasn’t the one who thought of the adoption thing. Now do you realize? My complete indifference towards your daughter’s stay in my house should be enough proof, Mister.”

'Indifference'...pff! I was so very bothered!

“Like I said,” He looked at me. “I spoke without logic. It won’t happen again. This, I assure you.”

He went on to say, “I am also sorry because my daughter and I have caused you to feel upset. And I also know that your parents are at unease since yesterday.”

I wanted to tell him that he and his tiny daughter lacked the ability to cause me sadness although it obviously wasn’t true.

“I would take Claire back home in the afternoon so…I would really appreciate if you would join us to the park.”

His words sounded so distant. He didn’t speak to me like he used to. Even though his previous talks were all mean and rude but they acknowledged my being and spoke directly to it. Whereas these words…these nice and civilized words came out of his mouth like he was talking to someone he never met before. They were genuine…but far away.

Anyway, I had agreed to go to the park that day.