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I wouldn't lie, I was happy. Work had become a haze of confusion for me.
The logical thing to do was create a barrier since this little thing me and Ethan had couldn't be.
But each time I was in his presence, I wanted to jump in his arms.
Three days had passed since our last conversation in the office. After that, we didn't really talk. Aside from a few lingering stares and strained tension, there wasn't any conversation.
I stepped into the bathroom.
This time, I decided to use the bathtub.
After soaking my lavender wash, I climbed in and let the warm water ease my worries.
One worry seemed to stay. Dad still hadn't called.
I was still thinking about that when I remembered the thing I’d forgotten while rising from the bed. It was a dream.
In there, I walked into a room filled with roses.
Mom and Dad were cheering me up on the other end of the room. They stood beside a gigantic cake.
“Happy birthday, baby.” They both whispered.
Mom leaned her head on Dad’s shoulders before the dream dissolved.
I sighed. This was my eighth birthday without her.
After sinking a few more minutes in the bath, I got out, wrapping a towel around my body.
For a moment, I contemplated my dress for today. Dress casually or a little more than casually to be in the spirit of a birthday.
I soon decided against it and settled for a spaghetti-strapped, flared-from-underbust flowery dress.
When I was ready, I exited my room to Sophie’s.
After knocking softly, I entered. She was lying on her bed.
“Sophie,” I called out softly. She raised her head to stare at me before plopping on the bed.
I smiled. A few things had changed since the night she spoke.
She didn't come to open the door for me anymore. I always let myself in.
Her legs weren't tucked against her chest on the bed, and she’d started saying snack each time she wanted food instead of gesturing or leaving me to guess what she wanted.
It was a great change. She let me in because she now trusted me.
Her demeanor was now relaxed and she was beginning to act like a child her age.
The plopping of her head on the bed was signatory, for I don't want to be up yet.
“Don't you want to be up yet?”
I walked until I was opposite her position on the bed.
She shook her head subtly. I couldn't help my smile.
“Can I sit?”
