**Happiness Is Possible**
My dad is such a wonderful manalways cheerful, so kind. Truly the best father in the world.
Juliet can hardly wait for him to return from his business trips, bringing gifts and a bundle of wild stories. Mum brightens up when hes home, though Gran does the oppositeshe scowls and stays away. Juliet wishes more than anything that Gran and Dad would get along.
Oh, the tales he tells! Juliets stomach aches from laughing. This time, he brought her a big doll and a white plush rabbit.
*»This rabbits a girl, right, Dad?»*
*»Yes, Jules. Know what her name is?»*
*»No!»*
*»Elsie.»*
*»Elsie? Like Mum?»*
*»Yes. So youll always have a little Elsie with you.»*
Mum blushes when Dad gives her presents too, murmuring that he spoils them.
*»How could I not? Youre my favourite girls.»*
After supper, Dad tells Juliet his funny army stories.
*»There was this one soldier, know what his surname was?»*
*»What?»*
*»Thunderclap! Massive blokeshoulders this wide!»* He stretches his arms. *»Strong as an ox. His best mate? Tiny little fellowMouse. And there was another lad, surname Cat. ImagineCat, Mouse, and Thunderclap, inseparable!»*
Juliet falls asleep happy, still giggling.
The next day, they go to the parkice creams, carousel rides. Shes so tired she dozes off on his shoulder.
But in the morning hes gone.
*»Mum, wheres Dad?»*
*»Sweetheart»* Mum tries to smile, but her eyes glisten. *»He had to leave.»*
*»For work?»*
*»Yes, love. Urgent work.»*
Years pass. Dad visits sporadically. Gran fumes.
*»Never so much as a proper hello! No birthdays, no holidaysalways work this, work that. Wont marry you, will he? I know his type. Probably married already!»*
*»Mum, stop!»*
But Juliet noticesMum and Dad argue now. He grows quiet when she whispers demands, something about his job.
One day, he leaves mid-fight, shoulders hunched.
Gran hisses, *»Told you! Secretive rat. Bet hes got another family.»*
Mum snaps, *»I knew! He begged me to keep Julietsaid his wife couldnt have more children, that hed leave if it was a boy. But he loves her, Mum!»*
*»Loves her? Then hed live with you!»*
Eventually, Dad stops coming at all.
Then, one awful day, Juliet sees himholding hands with another woman, two children in tow. A family.
That night, Grans words finally make sense.
*»Mum,»* she whispers next morning. *»Does he have another family?»*
Mum stares out the window. *»Yes. Always did.»*
*»Then what are we?»*
*»We were his family too. Just not the proper one.»*
Juliet criesnot angry, just shattered. *»Why didnt you tell me?»*
*»Because you loved him,»* Mum murmurs. *»And he loved you. Still does. Life just got messy.»*
At twelve, Mum marries Uncle Barrya man who barely acknowledges Juliet.
She grows up, graduates uni, rents a flat. Tries not to think of Dad.
Then, out of nowherehe calls.
*»Jules! Hows work? The flat?»*
She keeps her distance until he asks to meet.
The café reunion stings. Grey streaks his hair now, but his grins the same.
*»Youre beautiful,»* he says, fidgeting.
She cuts to it. *»I know about them.»*
He sighs. *»I never wanted to hurt you. I was a cowardcouldnt lose you, couldnt leave them.»*
She remembers Thunderclap and Mouse, his laughter. The pain.
*»Just be here,»* she finally says. *»No secrets. Just my dad.»*
Years later, her daughter Annie squeals when *»Grandad!»* visits. He tells the old storiesThunderclaps shoulders, Mouses tiny frameand Annie laughs just like Juliet once did.
Watching them, she realises: happiness isnt how you imagine it. But its possible.
As she tucks Annie in, Juliet smiles, remembering that white rabbitElsie.
