A Father's Day

"Mom, what is Father's Day?" Five year old Jacob asked.

"Oh you know, it is a day to honor fathers, the same as mother's day. Remember the nice card you made me? We bought grandma flowers and a book and spent the day with her. Then we went to dinner at that nice salad place. On Father's Day we'll have a cookout at Grandpa's house. Your grandpa loves cookouts."

"Isn't there a kids' day where we get presents and cards and get to do what we want?"

"Every day is kids day," Jenny answered, as she tossled his blond curls. "Now go brush your teeth or I'm going to be late for work." She smiled as she watched her little boy flex his superman muscles, then run to brush his superhero teeth.

As they drove towards Jacob's daycare center, Jenny was thinking about taking off early so she could take her car in for an oil change. She really needed to keep her car in good running condition.

"Mom, why don't I have a dad?" Jacob's question caught her off guard. While she desperately tried to come up with a reasonable answer, he continued. "I was supposed to bring a picture of my dad to school today. But I don't have a picture because I don't have a dad. I told Miss Sarah that but she just said, don't be silly. Everyone has a dad, even if he doesn't live with you.' Mom, do I have a dad that doesn't live with me? Or is it just you and me?"

Jenny's eyes began to sting as they filled with tears. She had a busy day ahead of her. She needed to concentrate on the traffic around her. She wanted to forget her past. She did not want her little boy to be sad. She didn't want him to be embarrassed at not having a dad. Fumbling for a tissue with one hand in her purse, she glanced in her rearview mirror. Jacob's brown eyes looked up at hers as he waited for a response.