Once he got his assignment—replace some faulty wiring in the main building—he headed down the hall. “Oh—sorry, I didn’t see you there,” he said when he nearly bumped into a slim blond woman carrying a stack of folders. “My fault too,” she said, catching herself before she lost her balance.
“You okay?” Mike asked. “I’m fine. You must be the new maintenance guy?” she said with an easy smile. “That’s me. I’m here to fix a few electrical issues,” he said, suddenly aware that he sounded about sixteen.
Her light blue dress brought out her eyes, and for a second he forgot whatever he’d been about to say next. “Would you like some hot tea?” she asked. “I can bring you a cup.”
“I’d appreciate that,” he managed. A few minutes later she returned with a steaming mug. When he took it from her, his hands were shaking.
Anyone watching might have thought he was coming down with something. Really, he was just hit with the kind of feeling that makes a man forget how to act. “I hope you don’t mind me asking,” he said, “but what’s your name? I’m Mike.”
“Susan,” she said, lowering her eyes with a shy smile. “Susan,” he repeated. “That suits you.” She blushed and thanked him, and for a while they stood there in a silence that somehow didn’t feel awkward at all.
A few days later they ran into each other again at the group home. Graduation was coming up, and Mike finally worked up the nerve to ask if she’d go with him to the event. She said yes right away. The spark between them had been obvious for a while.
A handful of dates changed everything. Once Susan aged out of the system and moved into her own place, they started building a real life together. Two years later they were married, convinced they’d found exactly who they were meant to find.
The memories pulled Mike in so deeply that he lost track of time. When he finally noticed how late it was, he headed to bed. On the way, he stopped by Polly’s room to pull the blanket back over her. Looking at his daughter sleeping peacefully, he felt that familiar ache that she had to grow up without a mother.
The accident two years earlier had shattered everything. Susan had been young, healthy, full of plans—and then one terrible moment at a crosswalk took her life. Mike still blamed himself for not picking her up that day.
By morning, life had settled back into routine. After a quick shower and breakfast, Mike told Polly he had to stop by the yard to handle some work business. He dropped her off with Eleanor and drove to the warehouse.
“So? How’d your girl like the doll?” Sam asked while the crew checked in the truck. “She loved it. More than I expected,” Mike said honestly. “See? Told you. Those folks out there make good stuff. My kids always loved anything we brought back from that town.”
“You saved me,” Mike said. “If I’d shown up empty-handed, I’d never have heard the end of it.” “Happy to help. Sounds like your superhero status is still intact,” Sam said with a grin.
“Maybe. But I’m getting tired of living on the road,” Mike admitted. “I’m missing too much of my kid’s life. Some days I worry Eleanor’s becoming more of a daily presence than I am.” “Come on,” Sam said. “Kids know who shows up for them. She knows you’re doing this for her.”
“I know that in my head. Still doesn’t stop the guilt,” Mike said with a sigh. “Good money always costs something.”
“True enough. But for a single dad, you’re doing more than most.” “Maybe. I just miss having a real family under one roof. Eleanor’s wonderful, but she’s still the neighbor, not family.” “That’s life sometimes,” Sam said.
“Your folks are gone, Susan’s gone, and as for her family—nobody even knew who they were.” Sam knew the story. Susan had grown up in the system and had never been able to find her biological parents. “She tried, you know,” Mike said. “Went through records, asked questions. Never got anywhere.”
“That’s rough,” Sam said. “Well, enough heavy stuff. What about tonight? You and Polly want to come by? My wife’s making pie.” “Can’t. We’ve got a date with the carousel. A promise is a promise.”
“Fair enough. Have fun. If plans change, call me.” “Will do,” Mike said, and headed home.
He got there earlier than expected, only to find Polly sneezing and running a fever. The carousel trip was off. He left her with Eleanor and rushed to the pharmacy for cough syrup, children’s medicine, and juice.
“Daddy, can we go to the carousel today? I’m not even coughing anymore!” Polly asked after several days stuck in bed. “Let’s check that thermometer first,” Mike said. “If it’s normal, we’ll get ready.”
Once he was sure she was fully over it, he gave the green light. Soon they were walking down a sunny street together. “You warm enough? Hat okay? No wind getting in?” he asked, fussing over her.
“I’m fine!” Polly chirped happily. But halfway to the park, she stopped, her face crumpled, and tears welled up. “What’s wrong, kiddo? You cold?” Mike asked, alarmed.
“We forgot Goldie,” she sniffled. “We have to go back.” “Who’s Goldie?” Mike asked, thrown for a second. “My new doll! I’m not going anywhere without her,” Polly said, stamping one foot.
“Well, in that case, we’d better go get Goldie before she feels left out,” Mike said with a laugh. Back at the apartment, Polly ran straight to the kitchen, still in her shoes, and grabbed the doll from a chair. Reunited, the three of them headed to the park and had a wonderful afternoon.
“How’s our girl feeling?” Eleanor called from the doorway that evening. “Much better. We even got some fresh air today,” Mike answered. “Good. I brought over a jar of strawberry preserves. A little extra vitamin C never hurts,” Eleanor said, setting it down on the table.
“Thank you. Stay for tea,” Mike offered. “Not tonight. My favorite talk show’s about to start.” “Can’t argue with that,” he said with a smile, carrying the jar into the kitchen.
“Polly, want some tea with Eleanor’s strawberry jam?” “Coming!” the little girl called, running in with Goldie tucked under one arm. “Give me five minutes to get the kettle going,” Mike said…
