At my daughter’s third birthday pool party, she pointed at my stepmom’s stomach and said, “Daddy’s in there” — the laughter stopped when I saw what truly caught her focus.
Glen and I celebrated Ariel’s third birthday with a pool party at our home, including family and her preschool friends.
Clara, my stepmom, attended. She hadn’t liked me since marrying my father fifteen years ago. My difficult teens might explain this, but I treated her well.
Because of this, we seldom met.
Still, having her there made me happy.
The party went smoothly. Some guests swam, others ate, everyone enjoyed themselves.
Clara exited the pool in a tasteful one-piece swimsuit.
Just then, Ariel dashed by with friends to get ice cream, loudly declaring:
“Mommy, Daddy’s in there!”
Turning, I saw her pointing at Clara’s stomach.
Everyone laughed, myself included, until I became embarrassed. I told Ariel not to point at people’s stomachs and led her away.
Ariel frowned, repeating:
“But DADDY’S IN THERE! You have to save him!”
Glen, standing close by, gave a shrug.
I pointed at Glen:
“Sweetheart, Daddy is standing right here. See?”
Ariel started weeping.
I was stunned.
She insisted Daddy was on Clara’s stomach.
Clara rolled her eyes, said it was nonsense, and stretched on a lounge chair.
Trying to pacify Ariel, she tugged me back to Clara, again pointing.
Examining Clara’s stomach more closely, I finally saw what Ariel had noticed.
I exclaimed:
“No… THIS CAN’T BE POSSIBLE! Clara, what does this mean?!”
I called for Glen.
As soon as Glen looked, all the color left his face. ⬇️