Sophia giggles, and we turn the corner to the room where Sophia will be hanging out today. I’m looking down at her when I see her eyes light up.
“Daddy! Miss Sadie is here! Can I go say hi? Please?”
Looking up, I see Sadie and Ellie standing outside the childcare room talking animatedly with their hands.
“It looks like she’s talking to someone, sweetheart. Let’s give her a minute.”
Sophia’s groan is so loud, it catches the attention of both women, Sadie breaking out into a full-tooth smile when she sees who is responsible for such a dramatic sound.
Sadie lowers herself into a squat and spreads her arms out wide. “There’s my favorite little goat yoga assistant!”
Sophia rips her hand out of mine and takes off in a sprint. She almost knocks Sadie over with the force of her hug.
The moment between the two of them causes my chest to ache. When’s the last time I’ve seen Sophia that excited over…anything? Just another thing to make myself feel guilty about. But she’s happy now, and that’s all that matters. I’m going to choose to focus on that.
Making my way over to the group of ladies, I stuff my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching out to hug Sadie myself, just as she stands up with Sophia on her hip.
“Hey, Niko.” Ellie gives me a little wave which I return with a nod.
“Coach. Sadie. What are you two up to? Wanted to hang with some tiny humans before puck drop?”
Both Ellie and Sadie laugh, but it’s Ellie who speaks again. Why am I disappointed it isn’t Sadie?
“Something like that. Sadie had some puppets and stuff she wanted to drop off for the kids to use.”
I look at Sadie, not hiding my surprise at Ellie’s comment.
Sadie looks at me accusingly. “Why do you look so shocked? Do I not seem like the charitable type?” Her tone is playful with just a touch of sass, and it sends a thrill through me.
Remembering where we are and who we’re with, I push down those emotions and raise my palms in a surrendering motion. “That is not at all what I meant. I was just surprised you owned puppets.”
“We used to have a kids’ yoga class at my studio in Denver. A lot of the kids were there to try and help with regulating their emotions and behaviors. I bought some stuff for the class for when a kid might be having a hard time. You know, puppets to help express different emotions. Fidget toys. Stress balls. That kind of stuff. I thought the childcare workers here might have a use for them since I don’t at the moment.”
This woman keeps surprising me in the very best way.
“That’s amazing.”
She waves me off, while somehow still managing to hold my child on her hip with her other arm. “It’s nothing. I took a class in children’s mindfulness. I learned some pretty cool stuff.”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Sounds like a class I should take.”
It’s a simple statement, but both Sadie and Ellie know the words hold way more weight than they probably should. Both women look at me with concern in their eyes, but neither say anything to make me feel even worse about my confession.
Luckily, Sadie changes the subject and looks at Sophia.
“You excited to be here for your dad’s game today?”
Sophia starts twirling a strand of Sadie’s hair in her fingers, and I instantly feel jealous. What does that say about me? A man jealous of his own four-year-old.
I’m afraid it doesn’t say anything good.
“Kind of. I wish I could be out there to see him play, but I have to stay here and watch it on the TV.” Sophia points to one of the tunnels that leads to ice level.
Ellie gets a phone call and excuses herself, but Sadie turns to me in question.
“She’s not allowed to watch the game in person?”
I cross my arms over my chest and rock back onto my heels. Feeling all types of nervous as Sadie questions me.
