I’m sorry I’m not there to help you look.
I start walking towards the living room again while I type my reply.
It’s okay. I bet she left it in the downstairs living room from when we were watching TV in there earlier. Maya and Elle are entertaining her with another reading of The Nutcracker while I search.
A few seconds pass before another message appears.
Still. I wish I were there. I miss you guys. It doesn’t feel right without you.
Aww.
Even five years on, he can still make my heart melt.
I miss you too. But I’ll see you tomorrow. Drive carefully on the way home. We’re supposed to get snow later.
Leo’s reply blinks onto the screen.
We’ll be careful. I can’t wait to see my beautiful wife and daughter. I love you so much.
Awww.
Smiling at my phone, I send one last text.
I can’t wait to see my handsome and sexy husband. I love you, too.
Then I tuck my phone back into my pocket and continue on my way towards the living room, where Miss Twinkle Shoes is hopefully waiting. I already checked my apartment, only to come up empty. Same for Maya and Cole’s place. If I don’t find Lily’s toy down here, that means it could be somewhere outside, and I’mdefinitelynot searching the backyard right now.
Yes, it’s safe out there. But wandering alone in the dark, well past ten at night? I don’t care how many security measures there are. That’s too much for me.
Just before I reach the living room, my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s Maya.
Any luck finding Miss Twinkle Shoes?
I shake my head, though she can’t see me.
Not yet. She wasn’t in the apartment. So I’m searching downstairs now. Is Lily giving you trouble? I can come back up.
While I wait for Maya’s reply, I walk into the living room and flick on the light switch. As light floods the room, I quickly scan the expansive room, hoping I’ll find Lily’s toy right away.
And there. Over on the floor, beside one of the couches, a stuffed foot clad in a sparkly pink ballet shoe sticks out.
“Yes,” I whisper, pumping my fist in victory. “Found it.”
As I cross the room, Maya texts again.
No, she’s fine. Elle is reading The Mitten to her now. Don’t worry.
Snatching up the errant unicorn, I tuck her under my arm. Then I quickly message Maya back.
Found it! Be back in a minute. Thanks!
As I leave the room, I shut the light off behind me. Then I head back towards the stairs, feeling much lighter than I did just before. Maybe it’s finding the missing toy or conquering my sudden spurt of nerves. Or more likely, it’s hearing from Leo after missing him all day.
It’s funny, I thought it would get easier over time—missing Leo when he’s away on a job. But it still stings when he leaves, whether it’s for a day or aweek. And everything always feels better when he comes home.
While I make my way back to the stairs, I glance out the window as I pass by. A tree flexes and dips with the increasing wind. The glass rattles slightly when a gust hits it. Tiny flakes of white flutter by; not a full-blown snow, but a precursor to it.
If we get six inches, like Elle predicted,I think,maybe we can take Lily out to play once Leo gets home.Last year, she was too young to really appreciate the snow. But now, I think she’ll really enjoy it.
