Leah
The house was quiet in that soft Saturday morning way that always made me feel like we’d been given a small mercy.
Bella sat cross legged on the living room floor, coloring with intense concentration, her tongue caught between her teeth as she worked. The sun filtered through the curtains, warming the edges of the room. For the first time in days, my chest didn’t feel like it was caving in.
I made coffee and leaned against the counter, watching her. Letting myself breathe.
My phone buzzed in my hand.
Me: Would you like to see Bella today?
The reply came a few minutes later.
Jacob: Yes. I’m not sure what time yet.
I stared at the screen longer than necessary.
Me: I was hoping to stop by the hospital again today. I have Bella with me. Maybe we could swap for an hour?
Three dot
