Page 97 of Mr. Almost

By the time we are finished, I have two meals left to take home for her.

“Let’s go down to the harbor and take a walk.”

She beams up at me like I hung the moon. It’s such a wonderful feeling knowing she loves me so much.

The ride over to the harbor isn’t long. When we get out, she reaches out, slipping her hand in mine.

“Do you think we will see any dolphins?” she asks, swinging her arm between us.

“I’m not sure. What would you do if we see them?”

“I would tell them hi. Dolphins are nice.”

“How do you know all of this?”

“Mommy lets me watch the animal channel that’s for kids. They teach us stuff.”

“That’s smart of Mommy. What else do you learn?”

“Sea turtles live for a really long time. They are even older than you, Daddy.” She is so serious as she tells me this.

“Do you think I’m old?”

She nods. “Very. I hope you live a long time like a sea turtle, though. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Oh, you won’t, baby girl. How old do you think I am?”

“I dunno. Maybe like sixty?”

I choke on a snort. “I’m only thirty-two.”

“Oh good. So you aren’t super old. Mommy said you were older than her, so I just thought you were really old.”

“I’m not that much older than your mom,” I tell her, doing the math in my head. “Only six years older.”

“Oooh, do you think we can get ice cream soon?” Ari changes the topic.

“I’m sure we can. I thought you were stuffed,” I remind her.

“For food, yes, but ice cream is different. I always have room for ice cream.”

I laugh, leading her down the harbor walk a bit more. “Okay, well, what is your favorite ice cream then?”

“Strawberry with sprinkles.”

“So decisive. Do you know your mommy’s favorite?”

“She likes mint chocolate chip. I think it tastes disgusting.”

I smile down at her. “It tastes like toothpaste, right?”

She nods. “Yes. Mommy is weird.”

“We love her, though.”

“You love Mommy?” she asks in a quiet tone, suddenly subdued.

“I do. Very much.”

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