Jake
The car ride from the park was quiet, except for May's occasional hum as she played with her new bracelet. I should have been smiling, seeing her so content after the playdate, but my thoughts were somewhere else entirely on Laura.
That man at the park, talking about how he lost his wife, his words echoed in my head like a haunting melody. I could still see the pain in his eyes as he shared his story. It felt too close to home, and for the first time in my life, I was truly terrified. What if I lost Laura? What if I couldn't fix things before it was too late?
"Daddy, why are you so quiet?" May's small voice broke through my thoughts.
I glanced at her in the rearview mirror, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. "Just thinking, sweetheart," I said, trying to sound lighthearted.
She tilted her head. "About work?"
"No." I hesitated, then added, "About Mom."
Her face lit up instantly. "Are we going to see her?"
