The Heavy Lifting - Cole
I took the car seat from the back of the Sportage, and groaned as I moved, my body feeling the weight of the day. It wasn’t just the act of wearing the new brown boots for over two hours. It was the emotional weight of being “on.” Riley and Nica stayed downstairs, and I could hear the whistle of the kettle as I unstrapped Poppy from the carrier and moved her to her crib. The house was otherwise quiet. Evening light stretched long and thin across the carpet in the nursery. I held her against my chest for a moment before lowering her into the crib. My hands felt too large and too calloused against the soft lace of her dress. “You did good, Pops,” I whispered. The words were barely a breath. My palm rested gently against her chest for a moment longer, feeling the quick flutter of her heart
- Writer
