Chapter 23

DORIS

Mia talked a mile a minute, telling me about school, dance lessons, and her friends. She showed me her favorite toys and books.

“I keep this picture by my bed, and I kiss it goodnight every night before I go to sleep.” Mia demonstrated by picking up the photo in the silver frame and giving the glass a loud, smacking kiss.

Inside the frame was an old picture of Cathy. She had on a big floppy hat and sunglasses that covered most of her face. It was taken at sunset, and she was partially in shadow.

Even so, I could see her beauty. I could also see how much I resembled her.

Mia kissed the photo again and put it back on her dresser.

“I missed you too, Mia. I thought about you every day.”

“You did?”

“Absolutely. I never would have been gone if I didn’t have to. And I’m going to be here every weekend from now on.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Pinky promise?” Mia asked, holding out her finger.

“Cross my heart and pinky promise,” I said, hooking my pinky around hers and shaking it.

“Now, I have a fun day of activities planned.”

“Can Uni come?”

“Uni?” Arthur asked from where he was standing in the doorway.

“The new magical stuffed unicorn Mommy gave me,” Mia said. “Duh,” she said more quietly.

“Not this time,” Arthur said.

“Do you think you’re up to a full day of activities so soon after your surgery?” I asked.

“Yes! Yes!” Mia said, clapping her hands and jumping up on her bed and bouncing.

“Mia….” Arthur said sternly, drawing the word out.

“How about we start with the morning and plans, and then if it is too much, we’ll come back here and you can take a nap.”

“Mommy, I’m a big girl. I don’t need naps.”

“Well, maybe I’ll need a nap,” I said.

“I don’t think so,” Mia said skeptically.

“Maybe your daddy will need a nap.”

Mia giggled. “Now you’re being silly.”

“Okay, let’s go,” I said.

“I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“It’s okay. We’ll have breakfast on the way.”

“Yeah!”

“You girls have fun,” Arthur said.

“You’re not coming?” I asked. Disappointment flooded me.

“Daddy works all the time. He never spends time with me unless I’m sick. Usually, Uncle Nathan or a driver babysits me on the weekends.”

“Well, that stops now," I said in a firm voice. "It's a special day because it is my first day back." I tried to think of something else to convince Arthur. "We wouldn't be complete without Daddy joining us, would we?"

“Please, Daddy?” Mia asked.

I looked at him. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend time alone with Mia. It wasn’t just that I wanted to spend time with Arthur.

This little girl didn’t just need a mommy. She needed a daddy too. I wanted the day to be perfect for Mia.

“Please, Daddy?” I asked. It came out totally different than when Mia said it.

"Okay. Give me a minute, and we'll go," Arthur said.

We stepped out of the building and into the clear, sunny morning. The New York City streets were already bustling, full of fast-moving people getting a jump on their day. Mia's happy energy pulsed through the air.

We walked a few blocks. We walked past the scent of fresh bagels from a nearby silver street cart and heard the sound of a honking taxi.

Our first stop was a charming bakery, its storefront adorned with colorful pastries that looked like edible works of art.

“This used to be a great bakery,” I said, remembering that I was supposed to be away on tour for years. “Let’s go in and see if it still is.”

Mia's eyes sparkled with delight as she chose a frosted cupcake that resembled a miniature rainbow. The scent of warm coffee enveloped us. I savored the rich aroma.

We ate breakfast. Mia had rainbow frosting on her upper Mia asked for a second cupcake. Arthur said no.

"You have some frosting right here," I said, curling my tongue up to touch the bottom of my nose. "All you have to do is swipe it into your mouth and you'll have a whole second meal."

"Mommy," Mia said, giggling. She ate the frosting off her upper lip.

This kid was adorable.

“Where to next?” Mia asked.

“Mia, what do you say?” Arthur said sternly.

“Thank you, Mommy. Thank you, Daddy.”

"Next, we are going to the Children's Museum," I say. "They'll be lots of fun things for us to do there."

The museum was a hit.

Afterwards, we went to an arcade that specialized in games a little girl would like.

As we left, Mia said, “You two don’t seem like parents who love each other. Are you going to get a divorce?”

“What? No,” Arthur said.

“You should be close together,” Mia said, pushing me a step toward Arthur. “Closer,” she said.

“Mia…” Arthur warned.

“Bethie’s parents always hold hands everywhere they go.”

Arthur sighed, but he held my hand. Then he held up our clasped hands so Mia could see them.

“See, pumpkin?”

"I don't know. You aren't acting all lovey-dovey. Bethie’s parents always act all icky lovey-dovey, hugging and kissing."

“Mia…” Arthur said again.

“But how will I know that Mommy won’t go away if you’re not all kissy-kissy with her?” Mia whined. “Mommies like that. You have to kissy-kissy-kiss them so they know you like them.”

Arthur rolled his eyes.

“I told you I wasn’t going away,” I said calmly. “Let’s focus on today.”

“Kiss. Kiss,” Mia said.

“Not right now. We’re holding hands,” I said. “Why don’t you hold my hand on the other side?” I held out my hand for Mia.” She took it.

“Where to next?” Mia asked.

"Strawberry Fields in Central Park."

“Oh, goody.”

We went to the iconic, quiet section of Central Park, made famous by the Beatles song. I rented a large red and white checkered blanket from an enterprising vendor, and Arthur bought sandwiches from an old woman who was selling sandwiches out of a large Igloo cooler.

The three of us sat down next to a large outcropping of gray rock and enjoyed the view of the small decorative bridge.

Mia took a big bite of her sandwich and talked with her mouth full. “This is perfect. Now you should kiss.”

I leaned over towards Arthur and gave him a peck on the cheek. I looked at Mia. “Satisfied?” I asked.

“Not hardly,” Arthur whispered softly in a lust-filled voice too quiet for Mia to hear.

“Not like that,” Mia complained. “A real kiss.”

“Mia!” Arthur said sharply. “Little girls do not dictate when their parents kiss.”

“Fine!” Mia said petulantly, turning her back on us pointedly while taking another bite of her sandwich.

I raised an eyebrow at Arthur, and he shrugged.

Mia didn’t talk to us for the rest of lunch. I was worried, but Arthur whispered in my ear to just let her be.

After we finished our sandwiches, we saw parents playing frisbee with their parents and asked to join in.

We left the park an hour later.

All and all, it was a good day.

Sunday started as a repeat of Saturday, although we ate breakfast at a diner instead of a cafe. This diner had a section especially for kids, with photos of characters from Disney movies on the wall.

“There’s Ariel from The Little Mermaid on the wall,” Mia said loudly.

“Use your inside voice,” I said, repeating a phrase my mother had said to me many times when I was young.

“She’s my favorite,” Mia stage whispered.

“Mine too,” I said.

“Really?” Mia squeaked.

“Yup.”

“I like all the girls who sing.”

“I feel the same way, sweet girl.”

Arthur looked at Mia and then at me with love in his eyes. "Me too," he said.