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I stood, tossing both ice creams into the trashcan before leaving to see her idly standing, waiting for me.

We crossed the road and she immediately let go of my hand, sprinting towards the playground.

My cellphone vibrated in my pocket, and I glanced down to see Cesar’s name across the screen.

“What?” I sighed, holding the cellphone to my ear, my eyes never leaving Sally.

He went on about the fight I had tomorrow, but the majority of it was a blur. All I could think about was that something had upset Sally. And I had upset Nirah. Now, both of them had put up a wall, and not even in my destructive state could I knock it down.

In the middle of my phone call she ran up to me and handed me her jacket before charging for the jungle gym.

“Would you like me to escort Miss Nirah, sir?” Cesar asked.

“No. I’ll have Kiryl do it. I want you on the next flight to Japan.”

A beat passed. “Are you sure? I think she’d be a lot more comfortable if I—“

“Just do what I tell you.”

“Of course, sir,” he murmured.

“I have to go.” I cut the conversation short, slipping my cellphone back into my pocket. I headed over to Sally on the swing lazily kicking her legs as she looked down at the sand.

A little girl ran up to her before I reached her. “Do you want me to push you?” she asked with excitement but Sally only smiled.

“No, that’s okay.” She shook her head and the little girl looked up at me as I stopped beside them, rolling up the sleeves of my white dress shirt to my elbows.

“Oh. Your dads here. Never mind,” she skipped away and it was so minuscule, but I watched Sally’s shoulders slump even lower. Ah… I see.

“Ready to go home?” She looked up at me.

“I thought you were waiting for me to come and push you.”

Her spine straightened. Glee passed over her face as she shifted back to sit more comfortably and I smiled, slipping behind her.

It didn’t take long for her smile to return, and her laugh alone that could brighten any goddamn room. She was the embodiment of sunshine, and I’d be damned if anyone, myself included, tried to take that from her.

She squealed, kicking her legs as she encouraged me to go higher but I didn’t trust this swing enough. Not only were the bars rusted, but it squeaked louder with every push.

Dark, ominous clouds rolled in as an icy breeze whipped by and Sally shuddered. I noticed the goosebumps on her bare arms and when she swung back to me I stopped her and she looked up.

“I think we should go.” She shivered then hopped off.

She rubbed the sides of her arms, turning to face me and I helped her into her jacket.

“Can we go home and watch a movie?” Her teeth chattered as I zipped up her jacket. “Please? With chocolate chip cookies. And popcorn.”

“And hot chocolate?”

“Yes!” She jumped and I nodded, extending my hand toward her.

* * *

She passed out as soon as we got in the car, sleeping the entire way home.

I turned off the ignition, looking at her in the rear view mirror, then glanced at the front door. I didn’t know where Nirah and I stood after last night. I knew she couldn’t resist me. Couldn’t stay away. But… neither could I.

I climbed out, carefully taking Sally in my arms.