Chapter 3 - The Recital and the Spare Room
Mark managed to get Elaine into the passenger seat of his sedan. She passed out before he even put the car in drive.
He drove home breaking several speed limits, his mind racing. When he pulled into his driveway, he left the engine running, hauled Elaine out of the car, and practically carried her through the front door. Mrs. Patel was in the living room, helping Lily pin her lucky ribbon to her costume.
"Mark? Is everything okay?" Mrs. Patel asked, her eyes widening at the unconscious woman draped over his shoulder.
"Coworker had a medical emergency," Mark lied smoothly. "I'm putting her in the guest room. Lily Pad, go wait in the car! Daddy's right behind you!"
He rushed Elaine into the spare bedroom. He laid her on the mattress, but as he did, she woke up just enough to become violently ill. She missed the bed, but ruined her expensive silk blouse in the process.
Mark was a single father. He didn't panic at messes. He moved with clinical efficiency. He grabbed a small trash can, handed her a wet towel, and rushed to the hall closet. He didn't have time to dig for guest clothes. He grabbed the top box on the shelf—a box of Sarah's old college clothes he hadn't had the heart to donate yet.
He pulled out a soft Yale t-shirt and grey sweatpants, set them on the edge of the bed, and pointed to the en-suite bathroom.
May you like
"Clean clothes," he instructed firmly. "Lock the door. Sleep. I have to go."
He shut the door, washed his hands, and made it to Lily's recital with exactly four minutes to spare. He watched his daughter dance, clapping louder than anyone in the auditorium, pushing the chaos of his professional life out of his mind for exactly one hour.
