Page 16 of Safe With You

Now it simply felt like home.

I pushed myself out of bed and caught my reflection in the bedroom mirror, smoothing a hand over my low fade before heading toward the kitchen. Mila was already sitting at the island by the time I walked in. She had a coloring book spread open in front of her and three markers scattered around her like she’d been working for hours instead of a few minutes.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Good morning.”

“You couldn’t have started with that?”

“I did.”

“No, you started with harassment.”

She laughed.

I grabbed the pancake mix from the pantry while she continued coloring.

The routine had become familiar over the years.

Breakfast.

School.

Work.

Homework.

Dinner.

Bed.

There was comfort in knowing exactly what most days would look like.

Life hadn’t always given me that luxury.

I was halfway through pouring batter onto the griddle when Mila spoke again.

“Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have pictures of Mommy when she was little?”

A question about her mom wasn’t unusual. It still caught me off guard every time.

I flipped the pancake before answering.

“A few.”

“Can I see them later?”

“Sure.”

“What was she like when she was six?”

A smile tugged at my mouth despite myself.

“Bossy. Like you.”