He looked sad for a moment. "I just keep forgetting that you're not your mother. We used to come to the beach and we were so much in love." He looked at my body again. "But your mom would never have worn that!" He laughed. "But she would have looked great in it!"

I hugged him and took his face in my hands, kissing his lips, telling him how much I loved him. "I want to be her for you, Daddy. If that makes this more right, just imagine that I am her. I don't mind. Not at all."

He sighed. We continued our walk in silence. He didn't let...