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“Rachel, Chad, you should’ve seen it. The ballroom sparkled like a thousand stars had fallen from the sky just to be under our feet.” I swept my hands through the air, mimicking the grand chandeliers that had hung above me. Their eyes grew wide as saucers, imaginations igniting.
“And everyone wore masks, like in those old fairy tales. Mine was blue, with feathers that danced with every move I made.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I relived the whirl of colors and sounds.
Chad bounced on his toes. “Did you dance, Mila?”
I nodded, spinning around the kitchen in a mock waltz. “Yes, and it felt like flying. Like for a moment, nothing in the world could touch me.”
Rachel clapped her hands. “Like Cinderella!”
“Just like Cinderella,” I agreed, laughter bubbling up from within.
As they giggled and asked for more details, I couldn’t help but soak in their joy.
“You know,” I started, glancing at the clock on the wall, “the community center is just as magical in its way.” Their expressions shifted from delight to curiosity.
“How so?” Rachel tilted her head.
“It’s where you can create art that rivals any masquerade costume,” I said while picking up stray crayons from the floor. “And Chad, it’s where you can play basketball and score more points than any knight at a ball.”
Chad’s chest puffed out with pride. “Yeah! We can’t let them close it down.”
“No, we can’t,” I affirmed.
The creak of Dad’s door pulled our attention away from tales of grandeur and back to our little world. He shuffled into the room leaning heavily on his cane.
“Dad!” Rachel ran over to help him to his chair at the table.
“How are you feeling?” I asked while pouring him a glass of water.
He took a slow sip, then set his gaze on me—a look that always seemed to see right through to my soul. “You seem different tonight, Mila. Happier.”
My heart stuttered. Did he know? Could he tell that for one night I’d been someone else entirely?
I brushed a stray hair behind my ear and mustered a smile to hide the storm of emotions his words stirred up. “It’s nothing, Dad. Just had a really good day at work is all.”
He studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Well, whatever it is… it’s nice seeing you like this—full of love and life.”
Love? The word echoed in my head like a siren call back to Cass’s arms—the strength of them around me… No. This was about family—about us—and not some fleeting fantasy.
I leaned down and kissed Dad’s forehead gently. “Thanks, Dad.”
With each clink of silverware and hum of conversation, I let go of the masquerade ball piece by piece—replacing it with the real magic of family love and care—the kind that didn’t vanish at midnight.
Later in the evening I watched as Chad helped Rachel with her homework, his brow furrowed in concentration. Dad’s cough from the bedroom cut through the quiet murmur of their voices. I set aside the dish I was drying and hurried to his side. He was propped up on a mound of pillows, a patchwork quilt pulled up to his chest.
“How are you feeling, Dad?” My voice was soft, careful not to betray my concern.
He offered me a tired smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ve had better days, Mila. But I’ve certainly had worse.”
I took his hand in mine, feeling the fragility of his bones beneath the skin. “You need anything? Some water? Another blanket?”
“Just you here is enough.” His grip tightened for a moment before relaxing.
I pulled up a chair and sat beside him, our hands remaining entwined. Chad peeked in, Rachel trailing behind him. “We finished the math problems,” he announced with a hint of pride.
Dad’s face lit up at their presence. “Well done! You’re both so smart—just like your sister.”
Rachel beamed and bounded over to hug him gently. “We miss you playing with us, Dad.”
