“Girl Dad” is the second short story of the collection Suicide's Children. It traces the JT Austin‘s relationship with Tishla‘s daughter, Athena, going all the way back to the events of Storming Amargosa. Beginning the morning after JT and Tishla spend the night for the first time, Athena, then a toddler, declares JT is her new father. At the time, the pair aren’t sure if the previous night was the start of something or two overwhelmed victims of war seeking comfort. But the story picks up two years later when Tishla and Athena visit JT on Amargosa. The story traces through the aftermath of JT and Tishla’s marriage through Athena’s adolescence, and her quest to become a pilot. In the end, Athena, copiloting with Ellie Nardino, lands an out-of-control ship in a controlled crash, preventing its destruction and keeping the crew alive. While celebrating her eventual copilot certification, she makes two declarations. First, Ellie, who lives with the family as an “undefined” member, is her stepmother, which Ellie amends to “Wicked Stepmother.” Second, she asks JT if she can take his surname, since he’s already adopted her. He counters by suggesting she take it on while keeping her birth father’s surname. As Gelt surnames come first and JT’s goes last, her name will legally become “Lattus Athena Austin.” The change makes Tishla cry, telling Athena how proud she is of her.
Preceded by: “Now and Then
Followed by: “Piece of the Puzzle“