Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
My heart swells. “I know it would mean the world to him, especially right now. When were you thinking?”
“Well, if you don’t mind being there for the supervised part, we can meet at his place this afternoon?”
“Really?” I say, my voice filling with excitement.
“Sure, if you think he is up for it?”
“I think he will love it.”
“Great,” she says. “I will drop her off at three, and pick her up at five?”
“That is perfect. We will see you then.”
I hang up with a smile on my face, a spark of light in all this darkness.
With a new burst of energy, I do some cleaning at Chief’s house before I go home, to make sure he has everything he needs tonight without worry. Halfway through, Jasmine arrives, smiling as she walks up the front steps.
“Girl, do you ever stop cleaning?”
I laugh. “I’m just nervous cleaning, actually.”
“Why are you nervous cleaning?”
“Amber’s grandma is bringing her over to Travis this afternoon for their first visit in months.”
Jasmine smiles. “Oh, that’s so good. Amber’s adorable.”
“You know her?”
“Yeah, when Travis used to have her, I met her a few times. A real little cutie.”
I swallow, rubbing my arms. “What if she hates me?”
Jasmine steps closer, taking my arms and squeezing them. “No way. She will love you. She is such a sweetie, and I know you will love her, too.”
“I hope so,” I whisper. “I should go and make sure Trav’s house is tidy before she gets here.”
Jasmine squeezes again before letting go. “You’ve got this.”
I hope so.
I head back to Travis’s place and clean up, and before I know it, it is three o’clock. Travis finishes soon and I want it to be a surprise when he comes in. A car arrives a few minutes later, and I am sick with nerves. What if she doesn’t want to leave her with me to wait? What if Amber doesn’t want to get out of the car? What if she hates me? God, I might vomit.
I drag my hands over my jeans, pacing behind the screen door as the car parks. I hear a little girl’s voice, and my heart kicks up a notch. Amber climbs out first and the first thing I notice is her long, golden hair and cute pink dress. She has a bear clamped under her tiny elbow. Her grandma emerges next, coming around to the front of the car.
I step out and walk down the stairs, knees wobbling. “Hi,” I smile, trying to keep my voice calm and not too over the top.
Amber hangs back, peeking from behind her grandma’s legs. Same eyes as Travis. I almost choke on the familiarity, my heart swelling. Jasmine is right, she is a beautiful little girl.
“She’s a little shy today,” her grandma calls, smiling.
A difference from the last time I saw her.
I wonder what changed.
“I’m Violet,” I say to Amber, kneeling so I am at her eye level. “I’m your daddy’s friend. I have to ask, is that your Barbie house inside? Because I have been eyeing it off since I got here.”
She tips her head and asks in a soft voice, “Which Barbie house? Is it a new one, or the old one?”
“Hmm, you know, I think it’s a new one, because it’s very pink and has a slide for the dolls.”
She looks up at her grandma, then steps out. “It has a slide?”
“Two,” I say, nodding.
“Can we see?”
“Of course, come on.”
She stretches out her hand and takes mine. I smile at her grandma, and she nods, seemingly relieved. “I’ll be back at five. If there’s any problem, just give me a call. Be a good girl for Daddy, Amber. I will see you soon.”
“Bye Grandma!” Amber calls.
Inside, I show Amber the Barbie house. She sits cross-legged. “This one is so cool.”
“It is cool,” I say, sitting beside her. “When I was little, I used to love Barbies.”
“I love Barbies,” she sings. “Can we play?”
I snort. “Well, obviously, I have been waiting!”
“Can you be Doctor Barbie?” she asks.
“Yes, I absolutely do.”
She hands me a Barbie in a white doctor’s coat. “You just have to make sure Barbie gets to the hospital. And then you have to give her a candy. That’s how doctors work, you know?”
“Got it!”
Amber dramatically thrusts the doll at the house. “Oh no, help. I have a broken leg.”
“Oh no,” I cry, rushing my roll over. “Hurry, we need the hospital.”
We play for ten straight minutes with some serious dramatics. I have actually lost track of the time when the door opens, and Travis steps in. We both spin around.
“Sunshine?” he whispers, pausing, his face scrunching with emotion.
My heart.
Amber whirls around, face lighting up.
“Daddy!”
She launches up and runs towards him. He lifts her, spinning her around, kisses peppering her cheeks. She wraps her tiny arms around his neck. My chest tightens, he’s missed her so much and seeing them like this is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.