25
IVY
When I entered the littles’ room, the sight of Chloe’s onesie-covered, rainbow-printed tush greeted me. She shoved it up towards the ceiling, her knees tucked under her, and her head sweetly face-planted into her favorite giant stuffed bear.
A new kind of anguish seared my chest.
I loved it here so much, and didn’t know how my heart would survive leaving a second litter of littles whom I’d come to adore.
My musings were interrupted by a delighted shout from the easel area, “Ms. Ivy! Come see what I made!” It was Roxy who called my name, and my lungs expanded to their fullest, through deep, satisfied breaths recalling the progress she made with sharing her stickers.
“What is it?” I stared at the canvas, praying to God it wasn’t what I thought it was.
“It’s you and Mr. Taylor.
