The sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Ava’s room. Her little bed, covered in cartoon dinosaurs, looked so inviting, and for a moment, I wanted nothing more than to crawl in beside her. But the clock was ticking. I could hear the soft hum of the kettle boiling in the kitchen, a reminder that I had a busy morning ahead. I tiptoed closer and watched her for a moment, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her dark curls spilling over the pillow. She was a dreamer, like me.
I sighed, whispering, “Ava, sweetheart, time to wake up.” Her eyelids fluttered open, and a sleepy smile spread across her face. “Morning, Mommy!” she chirped, but within seconds, she was back to snuggling deeper into the blankets. I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Come on, we have to get moving.”
As I moved through the house, I settled into my routine. I brewed coffee that filled the air with its rich aroma and pulled out a bowl for Ava’s favorite cereal. “You want some milk with that?” I called out, already hearing her scampering feet on the wooden floor.
“Yes!” she squealed, her voice cheerful as she dashed into the kitchen, still wearing her pajamas. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I felt my heart lift. “You know, you can’t wear pajamas to daycare, right?” I teased. She pouted for a moment but then giggled, her laughter ringing sweetly in the morning light. Little did I know, this mundane exchange would be one of my last.
Normally, I would have dropped Ava off at daycare myself, but today was different. I had an early meeting at work, and Mark had offered to take her instead. “It’s no trouble,” he had insisted, leaning against the doorframe with that disarming smile of his. He was always there to step in when I felt overwhelmed, often in ways I didn’t acknowledge enough. I had brushed off my uneasiness then. What could go wrong? It was just a regular Tuesday, after all.
The Phone Call
A few hours later, I was sitting in a conference room, the hum of fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, when my phone vibrated violently against the table. I glanced at the screen, expecting a message from Mark, but the caller ID read ‘Miss Greenwood.’ Anxiety twisted in my gut. Ava’s teacher? Why was she calling me? I stepped outside, the hallway quiet but for my racing heart.
<p“Hello?” I answered, my voice shaking slightly.
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