's P

from the washroom. She sits down in fron

r, smiling. "I had good co

with curiosity.

t. "He went to finish his work, but when he comes back

ncle?" She asks, narrowin

st hit me, and then he bought me an ice cream." I lick my lips, imagining yummy ice cream before

unds like you two

I nod,

r Uncle to return. I can't wa

rm smile, I jump up from my chair, w

here." I call him out,

to me, his steps quick. As he approaches me, I tug

my voice filled with excitement. Uncle holds his han

ewise. Hope has been talking so much abo

uffles my hair. "Hope is an adorable lit

I sitting on one side of the table

tart jumping on the sofa while cl

k at me,

l me what happened to you suddenly." Un

u have such pretty eyes, just like Hope

" He nods before placing soft kiss

oses his eyes, and I place soft kisses on b

He chuckles and pulls my cheeks. "Now let's take a picture together, Unc

m enjoying being with him as m

t fills with joy and excitement-the joy of spending time with Mommy and the excitem

ds Uncle. "Uncle, I had a great time with you, but now I ha

slightly pulls my che

"It was nice to meet you," she says to Uncle

ave at him and give

e gives me a flying kiss as we

e cafe, I beam and continuously look b

n beside me in

mmy. Then why did you kiss your uncle's

que

" I say, showing her how much I

on't like me."

cle holds a very special place in my heart. And you know who is

y's

y might hire me, I'm upset because I will have to leave Hope in daycare if I get the job. She becomes

expenses and needs by staying at home with her all day. Although I want

he swing, which Ella sent me,

er I go somewhere without her, I always buy so

y text Ella to bring Hope home. I can't wait to see her. I want her ther

ime, Daisy. I'm havin

rstand what

in confusion as

What do

I'm sitting in fron

he saying

are you saying? Ar

ughter on some stu

o smack her face if s

wa

take Hope on any date, given t

you? Why aren'

en she doesn't repl

n! I told you I'm havi

cle, whom she met outside of her school. Oh boy

What is he

over some stranger when

ling over him. I'm

ps as I re

lk about all this when my daughter is with y

text. I can't believe she just said that

ine! I'

ks for t

h I'm glad to have found Ella as my friend in Manhattan and

ow Ella in Manhattan-they both are gems. I'm certain I'll always have the

She is a sweetheart. When my parents didn't care about me after my divorce,

*

g myself into something comfort

ite white

ish cooking, I t

spreads across my face, liste

ng with Ella, my eyes shine. She approaches me, ru

er voice brimming with joy and love. She leans

Baby, I miss

avourite white sauce pasta."

her little tongue peeking out to lick h

." I place my hand on her tum

layfully, and her laughter ri

Ella interjects, step

rm smile. "Thank you, Ella, for

, I know Ella cares for Hope dee

." She walk

. Hope is hungry." Hope utt

Mommy is just ser

ders, dangling her legs as I make her sit

." Ella pecks on her cheek a

ing lunch with

lready

d a lot with you today." Hope wa

leaves after

?" She asks as I settle down

ummy is fu

" She begins telling about her uncle, her eyes sparkling. "Mommy, there are a few things which are common between him and me." She continues her blabbering while

he

as this thought

nking wrong. He

ing my thoughts, but m

pe, what's your uncle's name?" My

rs and laughs, thr

me his name." I demand, g

k." She replies and places h

g me. At this moment, I just want

remembe

" I ask in a d

ext time." As Hope tells me, I give her a faint

houldn't

ch her away from me, shattering my life again. The mere thought

t Luke. I'm jus

breath and cal

er school. Then you can meet him and ask his

ar. However, I know I have to

t's wonderful, Hope. We'll wait until tomorrow, and then I ca

to push away my fears and convince myself that it's just a coincidence. After all, the

*

bed, tucking her in with

e? I can't imagine that. I never want to cross paths with him again. It's been five years, but

natch my Hope for me, my sole source of living." As I murmur, hugging Hope tigh

Sleep finally claims me in the early hours of the morni