Nightmares

As soon as Avery and Madison stomp into the house, their little faces scrunched in frustration, I know something's wrong. They drop their backpacks on the floor with a thud and glare up at me.

"Mom!" 

Avery's voice is sharp, accusatory. 

"Why don't we know who our real dad is?"

I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. My kids don't greet and hug me any more? 

"Avery, Madison... what are you talking about?" 

I ask, kneeling down to their level.

"Kids at school were saying stuff." 

Madison chimes in, her small fists clenched, her eyes filled with anger and confusion. 

"They said we don't have a real dad. They said we're weird."

I sigh deeply, trying to figure out how to navigate this conversation. 

"That's not true. You do have a dad. I—"

"But we don't know him!" 

Avery interrupts, tears brimming in his eyes. 

"Why haven't you told us? Who is he? Where is he?"