Delphinia stepped out of the car, her dress swaying lightly in the breeze. The pick-up area buzzed with kids laughing, cars humming, and the occasional bark of a dog from the nearby park. Even with all the noise around her, Delphinia felt surprisingly calm. Picking up Ashton from school had become one of her favorite parts of the day—a routine she looked forward to.
Walking towards the bench near the old oak tree, she exchanged polite nods and smiles with a few familiar faces. Parents she had come to recognize sat scattered around, some chatting, others scrolling through their phones as they waited for their children. Delphinia reached her usual spot and smoothed her dress as she sat, glancing at her watch. She had about ten minutes to wait.
