Chapter 7 - The Sunday Dinner with the Perfect Father
The following evening, the house on Elm Street was glowing with warm light. Cars lined both sides of the street. Neighbors from the block, mechanics from Richard’s shop, and members of the local rotary club walked up the front steps carrying casseroles, pies, and wrapped gifts.
Inside, Richard Miller was in his element.
Dressed in a crisp blue button-down shirt and pressed khakis, he stood by the fireplace, holding a glass of apple cider, regaling Pastor Henderson and Mrs. Gable with stories of his humble sacrifices.
“Well, you know how it is, Pastor,” Richard said with a solemn, modest nod. “When Eleanor walked out, I made a promise to the Lord and to my girls. I told them that no matter how hard it got, no matter how many double shifts I had to pull at the garage, I would never let them feel abandoned. A father’s duty doesn't end just because his wife decides family life is too inconvenient.”
“You’re a saint, Richard,” Mrs. Gable said, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “A true pillar of this community. Raising those two lovely girls all by yourself without a penny of help from that woman. It’s an inspiration.”
“I just did what any real man would do,” Richard replied humbly, taking a sip of his drink.
Standing near the kitchen doorway, Lily and I watched the entire performance.
For twelve years, I would have watched that scene with a heart full of reverence and guilt. I would have stepped forward to refill his drink, proud to be the daughter of such a noble martyr. But tonight, watching him play the crowd, I felt nothing but a cold, clinical disgust.
“Look at him,” Lily whispered beside me, her knuckles white around her water glass. “He actually believes his own lies.”
“Let him enjoy his moment,” I replied quietly. “It’s the last one he’s ever going to get.”
Richard spotted us across the room. His face lit up with a warm, paternal smile, and he waved us over.
“There they are!” Richard announced loudly, drawing the attention of the entire room. “The two best things that ever happened to me. Come here, girls.”
We walked over to the fireplace. Richard wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled Lily in with the other. The smell of his aftershave—the same pine-scented cologne he had worn since I was a child—made my stomach turn.
“Chloe here,” Richard said, patting my arm affectionately, “has been my rock. Ever since that difficult day twelve years ago, she’s stayed by my side. Most kids run off to big cities, but Chloe stayed right here in town to help her old man. That’s loyalty for you.”
The guests smiled and nodded approvingly.
“Dad,” I said, looking directly into his cold, gray eyes with a calm, steady smile. “We have a very special gift for you tonight. But we want to wait until everyone is seated for the birthday toast.”
Richard laughed heartily, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “You girls shouldn't have spent your hard-earned money on me! But I appreciate it, sweetheart. I truly do.”
As he turned back to chat with the pastor, Lily nudged my elbow. She slipped a small brass key into my palm.
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“I got it off his master keychain while he was greeting guests at the door,” Lily whispered. “It’s the key to his locked desk in the den upstairs. Go now while everyone is distracted with the appetizers.”
I nodded, slipped the key into my pocket, and quietly headed for the stairs.
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