Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past
Two hours later, Mia was discharged with a revised asthma action plan and a clean bill of health.
Lauren bundled her into a light jacket, signed the final release papers at the nurse’s station, and stepped out into the cool evening air. She hoped, desperately, that Caleb had left.
He hadn’t.
He was leaning against a concrete pillar near the sliding glass doors, his hands jammed deep into his pockets, his eyes scanning the exit the moment it opened.
When he saw Lauren and Mia stepping out, he pushed off the pillar.
“Lauren. Wait.”
Mia looked up, her blue eyes curious. “Mommy, who is that man?”
“Nobody, baby. Just someone from Mommy’s past. Let’s get to the car.”
“Lauren, please,” Caleb said, stepping closer but keeping a respectful distance so as not to frighten Mia. He knelt down so he was eye-level with the little girl. “Hi, Mia. I’m Caleb.”
Mia tilted her head, clutching her purple backpack. “You have the same eyes as me.”
Caleb’s throat tightened. He swallowed hard, blinking back the sudden warmth in his eyes. “Yeah, sweetheart. I think I do.”
“Caleb, stop this,” Lauren warned, stepping between them. “You cannot just walk into our lives after five years and start playing dad. Mia has a life. A stable life. We don’t need you.”
“I’m not trying to disrupt anything,” Caleb said earnestly, standing back up to face Lauren. “I just want to talk. Just give me ten minutes. Over coffee down the street. If you want me to walk away forever after that, I will. But you owe me at least that much truth.”
May you like
Lauren looked at Mia, then back at Caleb’s tired, desperate face. She knew avoiding him here would only make things harder.
“Ten minutes, Caleb. Not a second more.”
