But I think he’s struggling too. Maybe he’s scared of losing you like he lost your mom.”
She didn’t reply, but her shoulders sagged as if letting go of a weight she’d carried for too long.
***
The next morning, I met Andrew at his door.
“I don’t have time for this,” he said, his tone clipped.
“Make time,” I said firmly. “Cora’s hurting.
She needs you to hear her.”
He hesitated before finally speaking. “Cora’s mother drowned because she didn’t know how to swim. I’m trying to make sure Cora’s strong enough to handle anything,” he said, his voice tight.
“I can’t lose her too.”
“I’m sorry, Andrew. But Cora’s already strong. Your fears shouldn’t keep her from being happy.”
He didn’t respond immediately but eventually nodded.
After a pause, he sighed. “Her birthday’s coming up. I… I don’t know how to make it special for her.
I’ve never been good at this. Could you… help?”
I smiled softly. “I think I know exactly what she needs.”
***
On Cora’s birthday, I organized a small party at my house, inviting a few of her school friends.
She beamed when I handed her a wrapped box with the dress she’d been eyeing in the shop window. When she put it on, her joy was radiant, lighting up the entire room.
Andrew stayed back, watching from the doorway. After a while, he stepped closer.
“She looks so much like her mother.
I think… she would’ve wanted this for her. Thank you. For everything.
I think I’ve been holding on to the wrong things.”
“Maybe it’s time to hold on to her instead.”
Andrew suggested that the three of us spend more time together. It felt like a promise.
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