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"Flora, why don't you brush your teeth so when Uncle Mick gets here, you can say hello and goodnight quickly?"
She thought about it for a long moment. "How quickly?" she asked.
"Five minutes quickly."
"Deal." She ran into her bedroom.
I looked at Rowan and sat across from him on a matching armchair. I bought the sofa set on sale when I first moved in, a few days after Flora was born. The coffee table was a hand-me-down from Flora's grandparents.
"I like your place," Rowan said, his eyes scanning his surroundings.
What did he see, I wondered? It was a modest condo in Rego Park in Queens. It had two bedrooms and one bath. It was on the third floor and was bright, which I loved. It was the nicest house I'd ever lived in, except for my three weeks in Montana.
Flora and I had made it our own. The prints on the walls were bright and lively—Monet, Joan Miro, and Kandinsky. The décor was colorful with pillows, throw blankets, and rugs.
"Can I get you something to drink?" I asked politely.
He shook his head.
"How…how did you find out where I lived?"
"I asked a friend in the NYPD to look you up."
I nodded. "Wow, you went to some effort. I thought you'd…I didn't expect to see you."
"What did you expect?"
"A call from Claudio saying I was fired," I told him honestly.
Sadness and regret flashed in his eyes. "I deserve that."
"I didn't say it to offend you," I quickly added.
What happened was a long time ago. I had a little girl to take care of. A small business that took up all my time. I was sleep deprived and exhausted. I didn't have the energy for this new Ledger drama, whatever it was.
"Why are you here, Rowan?" I asked the same question I'd asked when he'd come to that hotel room in Billings six years ago.
I thought he'd give the same answer as then: I don't know.
He shocked me by saying, "I want to apologize."
There was a knock on the door and I was glad for the interruption.
"Hey, cupcake." Mick came in with a grocery bag and kissed me on the cheek.
"Yummy…you smell like…lasagna? You made lasagna?"
I laughed. "Yes, I did."
"I haven't eaten."
"Fine. I'll pack you some to take with you." I walked to the fridge, ignoring Rowan, and pulled out the container I'd already packed for him and his husband.
"Ah, Isha, love, I adore you." Mick pulled me into his arms and gave me a big smack on my lips.
"Uncle Mick, Uncle Mick." Flora came running. Mick picked her up and hugged her.
"How are you, my beautiful flower girl?"
