Sliding behind the wheel, I turn my review mirror so I can keep an eye on Emma. She’s happily smiling in her seat, looking out the window with her backpack pressed to her chest. My heart swells just watching her so carefree and beautiful. If I was able to have a daughter, I’d want one just like her.
Turning Patsy on the radio, I drive away from her school, towards my house.
“What we going to do, Lex?”
“I have a surprise.” I wink at her in the mirror and she giggles, bouncing her feet, dancing to Patsy’s “She’s Got You.”
Today, before I came to her school, I went to Walmart and bought an entire My Little Pony castle play set and three extra ponies. I also went a little overboard when I picked up two easy reader level two My Little Pony books, The Little Mermaid DVD Blu-ray combo pack and a little girls size six My Little Pony nightdress. I wasn’t sure what size to pick up so I guessed. I just pray it fits.
Slowly pulling up my cement driveway, I click the button on my garage door opener and it retracts.
“This is your house?” Emma asks, her eyes looking out one window, to the next.
“This is my garage.” I explain parking and opening my door. I flip my seat forward and unbuckle her. Climbing out, her eyes wander the expanse of the garage.
Without even looking at me, her hand clutches my dress and I pull her close. “This way.” I guide her out of the garage and through my back door. Her eyes shoot up as she notices the tall ceilings and then her widened eyes roam over my kitchen.
“It’s a castle.” She whispers to herself, making me chuckle.
“Doesn’t daddy live in a big house?”
Shaking her head, she drops her bag on the floor and does like I suspect most kids do —wander. There isn’t anything she could hurt. So I let her go to search out the house, or the castle, as she calls it.
Picking up her backpack, I lay it on the table and that’s when I hear her enthusiastically screech. She must have found the toys I set up in the bare corner of the living room, just for her. I even threw down some extra pillows so she’d have something to sit on. If she likes to do that sort of thing. I’m new to watching kids. I have no brothers or sisters or anybody I’ve been close enough with to babysit for. Even though I’ve wanted to do this forever, and I genuinely like Emma.
Slipping off my heels and setting my purse on the counter, I pad my bare feet into the giant doorframe of the living room and lean against it, watching Emma submerged into playing with her new ponies.
“This one is Rainbow Dash.” She explains like an expert on the matter, holding up the blue pony with sparkly wings, once she notices I’m watching her.
“I thought she was pretty. Do you like them?”
Repeatedly nodding she answers, hugging Rainbow Dash to her chest. “Yes, I love them. My babysitter has a couple like this and daddy bought me some too, but he works a lot so I don’t get to play with toys at his apartment.”
Apartment? Why would Gage be living in an apartment? He’s a lawyer with a daughter. She needs a yard and places to run.
“You live in an apartment?” I gently question, coming over to the couch and sitting down.
Not looking at me, busy brushing her pony’s hair she sadly mutters. “Yes…my mom has our country house. Daddy has an apartment here in Heartfair not far from my school or my babysitters. I miss my old house, but I don’t want to live with mom.”
The pain in my chest radiates and sharply twists. I hate to think of Emma living like that. I can’t explain why, but I want to take care of her. Call it some strange form of motherly instincts or protectiveness, but I feel sorry for her. I hated my childhood and being a child is something you should enjoy and cherish. You’re only a child once. More often than not children are pushed to become an adult way before they should. I know I was. I’d hate that to happen to Emma.
Hours pass by and Emma doesn’t stop playing with her prized toys. I texted Roni around dinner time to bring Dolly’s Dairy Dream home for Emma and me. She did, and we just finished eating in the kitchen. Emma seems to like Roni and I know the feeling is mutual. We all ate cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. I know it’s not the healthiest meal, but I figured the cutie deserved a little spoiling. I just sent Emma into the bathroom to put her new pj’s on. I haven’t checked my phone in a while and Gage hasn’t texted me all day like he said he would, not that it’s that big of a deal. Emma is safe with me. I’d never let anything happen to her.
Stealing my phone from the charger port in the kitchen, I slide the screen on and see I have three missed texts.