Page 33 of Hello Doctor

As Mom was looking through a box, she said, “Oh my goodness. You twohaveto see this.”

Maya and I got up from our spots on the dusty floor, going to my mom, who was holding up a black cardboard photo frame, the kind used for sports and prom photos. As soon as I got closer, I instantly recognized the picture.

Fletcher and I stood in the awkward prom pose, my back to his front. His hand rested on my forearm, my arms hanging by my side, and we both smiled cheesily at the camera. My strapless lilac dress had a wide black lace belt around the middle, and I wore a thick black statement necklace. Fletcher looked so handsome then, with a smooth face, dimples in his cheeks, and a heart-melting smile. Add the suit and bowtie with the lilac boutonniere, and he looked like every girl’s teenage dream.

“That’s you and my dad?” Maya asked.

I nodded, smiling over at her and putting my arm around her. “He took me to prom.”

“Were you in love?”

Iwas, I didn’t say. “No, we just went as friends.”

Mom said, “You two had so much fun that night.”

I nodded in agreement. “We did.”

“Can I have the picture?” Maya asked.

Mom looked to me, and even though I loved the picture, it had just been sitting forgotten in the attic for ages. It would be good for Maya to have a picture of her dad when he was younger. “Sure you can,” I said with a smile.

She took it and flounced to her pile of Barbies, setting the photo carefully beside it.

Mom nudged my arm, whispering, “You’re so good with her, Liv.”

Coming from my mom, who was the best with kids, it was a really big compliment. My cheeks warmed. “Thanks. I’m trying.”

For the rest of the afternoon, we worked our way through the attic, getting rid of a few garbage bags and reorganizing a several boxes before calling it a day.

When we were done, Mom gave Maya a five-dollar bill for her piggy bank, and then we headed back to the house. Maya brought in one of her new dolls, and I got to work making supper for the three of us.

When I heard Fletcher’s truck pulling into the driveway, a smile spread on my lips. Even if my crush was unwarranted, I liked being around him. He had this steady presence that was both calming and exciting at the same time. He had a sense of humor, but not quite as obnoxious as my brother’s. And the way he loved his daughter? It made my heart melt.

When he walked through the door, Maya went to hug him. He rested his cheek on her head, and I could tell he was savoring the moment. When she let go, she said, “Come check out these dolls we found at Livvy’s house.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Did I miss something from when the Fernandezes were here?”

“My parents’ house,” I explained. “We cleared out the attic, and you’re not going to believe what we found.”

“What’s that?” he asked, getting on the floor next to Maya.

“Our prom picture,” I said with a smile.

His own smile was nostalgic. “That thing’s a million years old by now.”

“You might be old, but I’m not,” I teased.

He chuckled, looking down at Maya’s dolls. “If my dementia isn’t acting up, I remember it being a pretty fun night.”

“It might surprise you, but it was the best prom I went to in high school. You were just doing me a favor, but I remember it all, right down to the flowers in your boutonniere.”

“Where’s the picture?” he asked, getting up from the floor.

“I think Maya left it in the back seat of the truck.”

“Honey,” he said to her. “Can you go get it?”

She nodded, grabbing two dolls in her hands and running out the front door.

---