Page 23 of One Good Puck
When she looks up at me, she looks so happy. So grateful. Like this small gesture of breakfast means everything to her. It makes my heart ache.
Because I know what she means. I know how she feels.
I think back to all those years it was just Sophie and me after her mom passed away. All those breakfasts and lunches and dinners, just the two of us.
I nod at Abby. “I get what you mean. You get so used to cooking for just you and your kid for years and years, that when another adult cooks for you, it feels like Christmas morning.”
She chuckles. “Exactly.”
She stands up and grabs her empty plate, but I shake my head. “Leave it. I’ll get it.”
She hesitates for a second.
“I’m serious, Abby. Just sit there and enjoy your coffee. I’ll cleanup later.”
She smiles. “So do you always go jogging at dawn?”
“Only in the spring and summer. And early fall.”
She chuckles. “So only, like, most of the year?”
“Okay, yeah, I guess that sounds like a lot. I enjoy it, though. Helps me feel energized for the day.”
“That’s impressive because if I had to get up and go running before dawn and then take care of Emma, and then go to work, I’d feel like a zombie for the rest of the day.”
“I didn’t do this when Sophie was little. I started it when she was a teenager and didn’t need me to do as much for her.”
We sip our coffee in comfortable silence for a minute.
“This is nice, chatting with you at the start of the day,” she says.
“Yeah. It is.”
“I feel like we haven’t seen much of each other since Emma and I moved in.”
“Told you I’d be pretty scarce around here during the season.”
“Well, that and I’ve been trying not to get in your way. I want to make sure we’re not bothering you when you’re home.”
“Abby. You don’t need to hide from me. You live here too. You have a right to be in every space you want.”
Her big hazel-green eyes are warm as she looks at me. “Thanks. Seriously, thank you for everything.”
“Do me a favor? Stop thanking me.”
She lets out a flustered laugh.
“I mean it. I’m happy to have you and Emma here. It’s nice not to be alone in this big house. And I hope it’s okay for me to say this, but having Emma here reminds me of when Sophie was little. It’s fun having her around. She’s so happy and excited.”
Abby’s quiet for a second. “Really?”
I nod.
Her smile is relief and joy all at once. “Okay. Th?—”
She catches herself and laughs. I do too.
“So, have you scribbled anymore masterpieces on napkins?” I ask.
