Emma was not thrilled when we told her.
She was sitting on the couch with her phone, still in her pajamas, still wearing that gray sweatshirt. She’d slept in it.
“You invited Tyler? Here? For dinner?”
“Tomorrow night,” Daniel said.
She sat straight up.
“Did you tell him I cried?”
“No.”
“Did you tell him what he said?”
“No.”
“Are you going to yell at him?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the point?”
Daniel sat down on the arm of the couch.
“He’s somebody you’ve brought into your life, Em. I’d like to get to know him a little better. That’s all.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’re being weird, Dad.”
“That’s been your opinion of me for years.”
She tried very hard not to smile. She almost made it.
Later that afternoon, I went upstairs to put away laundry. Emma’s bedroom door was open. She was standing in front of her closet, pulling out shirts and holding them up and throwing them on the bed.
Short sleeves. Short sleeves. Tank top. Short sleeves.
Every single one went on the pile.
“Need help?” I asked from the doorway.
“I don’t have anything with long sleeves that isn’t ugly.”
I walked over and looked at the pile on her bed. There was a pale yellow T-shirt in there. Her favorite. She’d worn it to her cousin’s birthday party in August, and everybody said she looked like sunshine.
“What about this one?”
She looked at it. Then at her arms.
“Not tomorrow.”
I didn’t push. I just folded the yellow shirt and put it back in her drawer, right on top, where she’d see it.
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
I lay in bed next to Daniel, listening to him breathe. And I kept thinking about a boy named Kevin Pruitt.
I hadn’t thought about Kevin Pruitt in years. Maybe a decade.
But I thought about him that night.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
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Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.