A father pushes a stroller and begs his partner to let him in. He's given up sleep, his personal life, raising their daughter Emma, but feels invisible and excluded. He asks repeatedly to be trusted, to learn how to love them, to build something real together instead of a house built on illusion.
Chapters
This was supposed to be a quiet family walk. Pushing Emma in the stroller, we both have turns to talk. This was supposed to be a time for us to be alone. An hour without you, buried in your work and in your phone. I give every sleepless night. I give up living my own life. And you know I do it time and time again, 'cause I'm doing it for you. And sometimes it gets old, this routine of picking up your load and carrying the slack you leave behind. Please let me be on your team. Trust that you can lean on me. Let me learn how to love you. I will try and do it right. We're sleeping side by side. I try to touch you, but my hands are tied. I can never really know you if you never let me in. So let me in. Let me in. It's hard not to recognize myself here anymore, but now I hardly recognize you too. I sacrificed every part of me to bring Emma here to you, to us. I'm running out of ways to improve you. I need you to respond. I need someone to depend upon. I didn't ever think that I was asking for too much. I need you to be aware. I need you showing up, being there as a father and a husband and my best friend. Please let me be on your team. Trust that you can lean on me. Let me learn how to love you. I will try with all my might. We're sleeping side by side, coexisting till our worlds collide. I'll never really know you if you never let me in. Let me in. Don't shield us from the way you feel. Don't shelter us with little lies. A house built on illusions can never be a home. I know the good news. Bad or worse, but you have to put your family first. I need you, we need you to come on home. Please let me be on your team. Trust that you can lean on me. Let me learn how to love you. I will try with my whole heart. We're sleeping side by side, coexisting till our worlds collide. I can never really know you if you never let me Can you please just let us in?
