Elena
The park was buzzing with activities, children squealing in delight, parents trying to keep up, balloons bubbling in the breeze. The air smelled of ice cream flavors and cotton candy, sweet and dizzying.
For the first time in weeks, Sophie was over the moon with excitement. Her tiny hand gripped mine tightly as she pointed at everything, the painted clowns, the mascots, the long line for ice cream.
“Mommy, can I go get one? Please?”
Her eyes, those same gray blues I saw every morning and tried not to compare with his, sparkled with excitement.
She really does have me wrapped around her tiny fingers.
I hesitated for a moment, scanning the crowd. “Stay where I can see you, sweetheart, okay?”
She nodded happily and darted towards the ice cream stand, her braided ponytail bouncing
