Happiness Is Possible
Juliets dad is so wonderful, so cheerful, and so kind. The best father in the world.
Juliet can hardly wait for him to return from his business trips, bringing gifts and endless stories.
When hes home, Mum brightens up, but Gran only scowls. She never visits then.
Juliet wishes Gran and Dad would just get along.
Oh, the stories he tells! Juliet laughs so hard her belly aches.
This time, Dad brings her a big doll and a fluffy white rabbit.
This rabbits a girl, right, Dad?
Yes, Jules. Know what her name is?
Nooo.
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth? Like Mum?
So youll always have a little Liz by your side.
Dad and Mum exchange smiles. He brings gifts for Mum too, and she blushes, scolding him for spoiling them.
How could I not? Youre my favourite girls.
They have dinner together, and afterwards, Dad tells Juliet his funny army tales.
There was this soldier in our unitguess what his surname was?
What? Juliet asks.
Thunderclap. Huge bloke, shoulders like this Dad stretches his arms wide, strong as an ox. His best mate was called Mousley, small as a mouse. Inseparable, those two.
And then there was this other lad, surname Cat. Picture itCat, Mousley, and Thunderclap, always together.
Juliet giggles until she drifts off to sleep, perfectly happy.
The next day, Dad spends the whole afternoon with them. They go to the park, eat ice cream, ride the carousel. Juliet is so tired she falls asleep on his shoulder.
But in the morning hes gone.
Mum, is Dad in the bathroom? He must be washing up.
Mum sits at the table, lost in thought.
Sweetheart She smiles, but Juliet sees tears in her eyes. Dad had to leave.
For work? An urgent job?
Yes, love. An urgent job.
Years pass. Dad visits sporadically. Gran refuses to even hear his name.
Never says a proper hello, just grunts and turns away. No holidays, no birthdays togetheralways work, always excuses. Wont remarrywhy? Im not stupid. Bet hes already married, Lizzie.
Next time he comes, check his papers. Or I will.
Mum! Juliets mother snaps. Leave it be!
Dad keeps visiting, and Juliet remains overjoyed, but Mum Theres tension now. Mum whispers things that make Dad sad, demands Juliet doesnt understandprobably about his job. Maybe she wants him to quit.
Then the arguments start. Loud.
Liz, you have to understandI have obligations. I cant just
But you can do this to us?
Dad leaves hunched, without staying the night.
I told you, Lizzie, Gran mutters. Sneaky, that one. Knew it all along, didnt you?
Yes, Mum snaps. Later. Too late. He begged on his knees, Mumsaid she couldnt have more children, that if it was a boy, hed leave But he loves Jules, adores her.
Adores her? Then hed live with you. Tell me he loves you too.
Mum stays silent, quietly crying.
One day, Dad arrives, and they shut themselves in the bedroom for hours. After, things return to normaljokes, storiesbut Juliet senses strain. Mum sighs, sending her to bed early.
Then, Dad stops coming.
Whens Dad visiting? Juliet asks.
Mum shrugs. Gran barks, Who needs a father like that?
But Juliet still waits.
She doesnt know theres another girl, maybe her age, somewhere else, calling the same man Dad.
Juliet hugs her white rabbit, whispering,
Elizabeth, youre a girl too You understand, dont you? Dads still the best.
He never returns. Until one dayJuliet sees him. With another woman. A girl her age. A boy the age she was when he vanished.
They laugh, holding hands, a proper family.
Juliet tries to call out, but words stick in her throat. He doesnt even see her.
That night, she doesnt sleep. Grans words echo*another family*.
Now she knows its true.
Mum, she whispers in the morning. Does he have another family?
Mum stares out the window, then nods.
Yes, love. Always did.
Then what are we?
His family too. Just not the proper one.
Juliet turns away, tears blurring the window. She wants to scream, but all that comes is a whisper.
Why didnt you tell me?
Because you loved him, Mum says, hugging her. And so did I. And he loved youstill does. Life just happened.
Juliet remembers the storiesThunderclap, Mousley, Catthe gifts, his hand ruffling her hair. It was all real.
He was still the best dad.
At twelve, Mum marries Uncle Barry.
He doesnt hurt Juliet, but he doesnt see her either.
She graduates, finds work, rents a tiny flat. Life moves onresponsibilities, friends, heartbreaks. She avoids thinking of Dad. It hurts too much.
Then, years later, he calls. As if nothing happened.
Sweetheart! How are you? Found a job? A flat?
She answers curtly, keeping distance. But when he asks to meet, she hesitates then agrees.
In a small café, hes oldergrey at the temples, tired eyes. But his smile is the same.
Youre beautiful, he says, adjusting his sleeve. All grown up.
Juliet studies him. Not just her perfect dada man who lied, lived two lives.
Dad, she says. I know. About your family. Your other children.
He sighs heavily.
Jules Im sorry. Never wanted you to hurt. Youll always be my daughter. But I was a cowardcouldnt lose you, couldnt wreck them.
She stays silent, torn between hugging him and running.
You know, she finally says, I cant forget the laughter. Thunderclap, Cat, Mousley. You were the kindest, funniest dad. But I remember the pain too.
He bows his head.
What can I do, Jules? How do I fix this?
She realiseshes afraid of losing her completely.
Just be here, she says. No secrets, no promises. Just be my dad.
He nods, eyes glistening.
Juliet touches his hand. In that moment, she forgives himnot for what he did, but for still being the man she loves, flaws and all.
Years later, Juliet has a daughterAnnie, a fair-haired girl with big brown eyes.
One day, Dad visits openly, without hiding. Annie squeals, Grandads here!
He kneels, hugging her, laughing that same ringing laugh.
That evening, he tells storiesnow to Annie.
In the army, there was a soldierguess his surname?
What? Annie beams.
Thunderclap! He spreads his arms wide.
Annie giggles just like Juliet once did.
Watching them, Juliet feels warmth in her chest.
Dad wasnt perfect. He made mistakes. But now hes here, honestly, and Annie grows up knowing her grandadnot a ghost.
Tucking Annie in, Juliet remembers her white rabbit, Elizabeth. The one Dad brought years ago. She smiles.
Life turned out messier than childhood dreams. But as her dad and daughter laugh at the same silly story, Juliet knowshappiness is still possible.
It just doesnt come the way you expect.
