Page 87 of Mr. Almost

Thomas looks to me to confirm, so I nod.

“There’s a drugstore down the street,” he tells me, heading back to the driver’s side.

I buckle Ari into her seat before climbing into the other side of the car next to her. Ari holds out her hand to me, so I take it. I squeeze it lightly, looking at her.

I feel like five years were shaved off my life. Hearing her scream did something to me. I never want to hear it again. I never want to see her hurt again. My chest still feels like it’s being squeezed.

When Thomas pulls up outside the pharmacy, I pull Ari out and take her inside with me. I could have had her wait with Thomas, but I’m feeling a bit clingy at the moment. I don’t want her out of my sight. It is such a startling feeling, but it also makes me feel more like a parent. Like it’s normal to feel this way.

In the Band-Aid aisle, Ari is obviously feeling much better.

“Daddy, the kitty Band-Aids would help me heal much better.” She bats her eyes up at me.

Normally, I would be happy to give her whatever she wants, only the kitty Band-Aids won’t cover her scrape.

“They are too small, though, honey. We need them to cover the entire wound.”

“We could put more than one on it. Please, Daddy. I really want the kitty.”

What would Olivia do? I could call her, but I don’t want her toworry. Ari is okay now, and I can handle this. I can make this decision.

If I put like six on it, they will be covered. So I conceded.

“Okay. Grab two boxes, though,” I tell her, letting her grab the boxes.

These marketing people know what they are doing. The plain Band-Aids are all at the top, while the cartoon and character ones are at kid height. All so the kids can sucker parents into spending twice the money on the character ones and getting fewer Band-Aids.

Anything to keep the smile on Ari’s face.

Next, I grab some antibacterial ointment and some gauze to clean it. Then I go to the register with Ari.

“Well, what happened here?” the nice older lady asks.

Ari smiles up at her. “I got hurt, but Daddy makes it better.”

I feel like a damn superhero at that. I made her feel better.

“Oh, that’s good to hear. We all get a little bump from time to time, but it’s important to have a daddy to make it all better.”

“I think so too.”

I pay the woman, taking the bag.

“Do you have a bathroom I could clean this in?” I ask.

She nods. “In the back.”

Taking Ari to the men’s room, I prop her on the sink. Then I take the soap, cleaning the wound with the gauze. She winces, and her lips wobble, but she is brave. I’m so proud of her. When I apply the ointment, one tear gets free while she sniffles, but she stays still and quiet. When I finally put all of the Band-Aids on and kiss it, she takes a deep breath. Then she smiles at me.

“Much better, Daddy. I love you.”

My heart stutters. “I love you too, baby girl.”

I hug her to me before kissing the top of her head. Then I set her down on the floor, cleaning up our mess. As we make our way out of the store, she waves at the cashier, who smiles and waves back.

At the car, she proudly shows Thomas her pretty Band-Aids. Hegushes over it like it’s the best thing he has ever seen. It makes me glad I hired him. He’s a good guy.

“Ice cream now?” Ari asks.

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