Jogging alongside Mia’s pink bicycle, I guided her wobbly progress with a gentle hand on the back of the seat. Her dark pigtails fluttered behind her like streamers in the spring breeze. Despite my cheerful words, a knot formed in my stomach. She’d missed out on so much because of those damn hospital visits. “You’re doing great!” I called out encouragingly, hoping my voice didn’t betray my anxiety.Please let her have this moment.She deserves it.“Keep those feet pumping!”
Mia’s face scrunched up in concentration, little hands gripping the handlebars tightly as she focused on keeping the front wheel straight.
As we rounded the bend, the front tire wobbled precariously to the side. I tightened my grip to help steer her back on course. “Whoa there! I’ve got you, sweetie. Nice and steady now.”
Mia glanced back at me with a gap-toothed grin, brown eyes sparkling. “I’m doing it, Papi! Watch me go!”
Her joyful giggles pealed through the crisp morning air, mixing with the chirping of birds in the leafy trees lining the path. It was a perfect spring day as I watched Mia’s carefree laughter ripple through the air, her eyes sparkling withunbridled joy. Every pedal she pushed seemed to fill my heart a bit more.
These were the moments I cherished most, the ones I wanted her to remember—not being stuck in a hospital or doctor’s offices.
After a few more wobbly laps around the park, Mia hopped off her bike and flung her arms around my waist in a fierce hug. I smiled down at her, stroking her silky hair. “Thank you for helping me, Papi! You’re the bestest teacher ever! Well, you and Mr. Parker,” she added with a grin.
“Anything for you, you know that.” I held her tight, memorizing the feel of her small arms hugging me. “How about we head home and make some lunch, hmm? I’m thinking… dinosaur chicken nuggets?”
“Yes!” Mia bounced on her toes excitedly. “With extra ketchup! Let’s go!”
We walked back to the truck, pushing Mia’s bike between us, then I stuck Mia’s bicycle in the truck's bed, and we made our way out of the park; just a dad and his daughter savoring a perfect Saturday morning together.
I wished it could always be this simple.
As we drove out of the park’s lot, I smiled at Mia’s excitement from the backseat, her chatter a joyful soundtrack. This little town wasn’t so bad sometimes. Tree-lined streets gave way to neat rows of houses, their lawns filled with flowers and trees. There was no traffic to speak of since every place in town was less than twenty minutes away.
Just another mile and we’d be home, ready to whip up a batch of dino nuggets.
But as we passed Mia’s elementary school, a familiar figure hunched over by the curb caught my attention. Was that…Mr. Parker? Mia’s kindergarten teacher? Sure enough, as I sloweddown, I made out his lean frame straining as he wrestled with something near the front tire of his blue sedan.
“Daddy, look! It’s Mr. Parker!” Mia wiggled in her booster seat, eyes widening as if she’d spotted a celebrity.
Though I refused to admit to myself, seeing Mr. Parker each afternoon when I picked up Mia was one of the highlights of my day. More often than not, he’d walk Mia outside to my truck, open the back door for her, and help her inside. Then he’d turn to me with that sweet smile of his, telling me something about her day before heading back inside and I’d drive off, pretending that I wasn’t attracted to the guy.
What was he doing here alone on a Saturday morning?
I pulled into the school lot and drove toward him, rolling down my window. “Hey there! Everything okay?”
Mr. Parker glanced up, his face flushed pink and glistening with sweat. He blew out his breath, raking a hand through his disheveled auburn hair. “Oh, hey there. Hi Mia. I, uh…I thought I’d come in on the weekend and get some stuff ready for next week. Then when I came out, I saw this—” He pointed at the flat tire. “Can’t seem to get these lug nuts to budge.”
“Need a hand?” I pulled into the spot beside him and hopped out. As I approached, I noticed the spare tire he’d pulled from his trunk. Even from a distance, it looked suspiciously low on air.
Mr. Parker’s shoulders sagged as he let out a long, weary sigh. “I’d really appreciate that,” he admitted, glancing at the limp spare tire. “This thing’s as flat as a pancake. I’m not sure what to do next.”
An idea sparked in my mind. “Tell you what. Why don’t I take a look at the original tire? I bet it’s just a small puncture that we could patch up easy peasy. The auto shop where I work isn’t too far from here, my brother Alonso’s place. I’ll give you a lift over and we’ll get you sorted out in no time.”
Mr. Parker blinked, surprise registering on his flushed face. “Wow…that’s incredibly kind of you. You sure it’s no trouble?” he asked, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.
“No trouble at all.” I waved off his concern with a grin. “C’mon, let’s get this tire off and loaded up. Mia and I would be happy for the company, right?”
“Yes! Come with us, Mr. Parker!” Mia bounced in her booster seat, her smile bright.
“Well, all right then.” Mr. Parker’s eyes caught mine as he smiled, relief mingling with gratitude. “Thanks again, Mr. Mendez. I appreciate this.”
“Don’t mention it. And it’s Marc.”
“Okay, Marc.” He pointed at himself with this adorable grin. “Ken.”
“Ken,” I repeated and smiled back. “Toss the spare back there and we’ll get it aired up too, for good measure.”
A few minutes later and Ken’s flat was off the car and in the bed of my truck, next to Mia’s bike and his flat spare tire.
