Happiness Is Possible
Juliets dad is so kind, so full of laughter, the gentlest soul. The best father in the world.
She waits eagerly for his return from business trips, for the gifts hell bring, for the wild tales hell spin. Mum lights up when hes home, but GranGran only scowls. She wont visit then. Juliet wishes theyd just get along.
Oh, the stories he tells! Her stomach aches from laughing. This time, he brought her a grand doll and a snowy white rabbit plush.
«Is the rabbit a girl, Dad?»
«Indeed, Jules. Know her name?»
«Nooo.»
«Elsie.»
«Elsie? Like Mum?»
«Just so youll always have a little Elsie close by.»
Dad and Mum exchange smiles. Hes brought gifts for her too, and she flusters, saying he spoils them.
«How could I not? Youre my favourite girls.»
They dine together, and later, Dad regales Juliet with his ridiculous army tales.
«There was this soldier, right? Guess his surname?»
«What?»
«Thunderclap. Built like an oak, shoulders this wide» He spreads his arms. «Strong as an ox, but his best mate? Tiny as a mouseMouseley, they called him. Inseparable, those two. And then there was this bloke, surname Catton. Picture it: Catton, Mouseley, and Thunderclap, always together.»
Juliet giggles until she drifts off, blissful.
The next day, they visit the parkice creams, merry-go-rounds, her legs so weary she dozes on his shoulder.
But come morning hes gone.
Maybe hes in the loo?
Mum sits at the table, distant.
«Mum, is Dad nearly done? I need to brush my teeth.»
«Sweetheart» Mum smiles, but tears glint. «Dad had to leave.»
«For work? Urgent work?»
«Yes, darling. Very urgent.»
Years pass. Dad visits sporadically. Gran sneers.
«Never stays long, grunts a greeting, cant be bothered with birthdays or holidays always work, this work. Wont remarry, eh? Secretive bugger. Bet hes already wed, our Elsie»
«Next time he comes,» Gran prods, «check his papers. Or I will.»
«Mum!» Elsie snaps. «Stop it!»
Dad arrives; Juliets thrilled. But Mum lately, their whispers turn sharp. Dad dims when Mum hisses demandssomething about his job, Juliet assumes. Maybe she wants him to quit.
Then, louder rows.
«Elsie, you know Ive obligations»
«And us? Were optional?»
One evening, he kisses Juliets head and slinks away, shoulders hunched.
Gran clucks. «Told you. Secretive. Probably got another family.»
Mum sobs. «I found out too late. He begged me to keep the babysaid if it was a boy, hed leave. But he adores her, Mum!»
«Adores her? Then hed live here. Whatll you tell Juliet?»
Mum falls silent.
Dad visits once more. He and Mum shut themselves away. After, the tension lingers. Mum sighs, sends Juliet to bed early.
Thennothing. No visits.
«Whens Dad coming?» Juliet asks.
Mum shrugs. Gran spits, «Who needs a father like that?»
But Juliet waits.
She doesnt know, in another town, another girlher age, perhapsalso calls him Dad.
She clutches her rabbit. «Elsie you understand, dont you? Hes still the best.»
He never returns.
Until, years later, she spots him: a woman, a girl her age, a boy. Laughing, hand in hand. A proper family.
She tries to call outwords clot in her throat. He doesnt see her.
That night, Grans words curdle in her mind.
At dawn, she faces Mum.
«Mum does he have another family?»
Mum stares out the window. «Yes. Always has.»
«Then what are we?»
«We were his family too. Just not the proper one.»
Juliet turns away. Anger fizzles; tears win. «Why didnt you tell me?»
«Because you loved him,» Mum murmurs, pulling her close. «And so did I. He loves you still. Lifes just messy.»
Juliet remembers Thunderclap and Mouseley, the gifts, his hand on her head. It was real.
He *was* the best.
At twelve, Mum marries Uncle Barry. He ignores Juliet politely.
She graduates, rents a flat. Life moves onwork, friends, heartbreaks. She avoids thoughts of Dad.
Then, out of nowhere, he calls.
«Jules! Hows work? The flat?»
Short answers. Distance.
But he begs to meet.
They sit in a café. Hes oldergrey at the temples, weariness in his smile.
«Youre stunning,» he says, fiddling with his cuff.
She studies him. The best dad. The liar.
«Dad I know. About your other family.»
A heavy sigh. «Jules I never meant to hurt you. Youll always be my girl. I was a cowardwanted both worlds.»
She aches to hug him. To flee.
«You know,» she whispers, «Ill never forget Thunderclap and Mouseley. You were the kindest, funniest man. But the pain thats real too.»
His head bows. «What can I do?»
«Just be here. No secrets. Just be my dad.»
He nods. Tears shine.
She touches his handand forgives. Not for his mistakes, but because hes still hers.
Years later, Juliet has a daughterAnnie, golden-haired, bright-eyed.
Dad visits openly now. No shadows.
«Grandads here!» Annie shrieks, launching into his arms.
That evening, he tells the old stories.
«Know this soldiers name? Thunderclap!»
Annie cacklesjust like Juliet once did.
Her heart swells.
Dad wasnt perfect. But now hes here, honest. Annie knows her grandad.
As she tucks Annie in, Juliet remembers the white rabbitElsie.
Life wasnt the fairytale shed dreamed. But watching Dad and Annie laugh at the same silly tale
Happiness is possible. Just not how you expect.
