Page 101 of My Heart Belongs to You

In the car, I drummed the steering wheel, considering my next move. A week ago, Valerie hit me asking if I wanted to see Avery. For the last seven days, I went back and forth about accepting the invitation. This morning, she reached out again, noting Avery would be leaving for Seattle soon. In the same message, she sent a picture of her exchange with Vanessa approving the visit. I hadn’t realized that was what I was waiting for. It wouldn’t feel right sneaking behind Vanessa’s back to see her child.

The anxiety of seeing Avery after all this time almost caused me to cancel. But my desire to see her prevailed. After leaving Summer’s, I stopped by Seed and Soil to pick up a small arrangement to go with Avery’s gift. I clutched the daisies and a single pink rose as I neared them at the playground. I spotted Valerie first, sitting on the bench with a kindle in her hand. She glanced up at Avery and her girls then went back to what she was reading. I inhaled a deep breath, held it for a second, then released it.

“Hey, Nadir. I’m so happy you came.” Valerie stood to hug me. I didn’t know why, but this embrace offered me a little relief. My heart raced as I thought about Avery’s reaction to seeing me. It was possible she wouldn’t even remember me. After all, it had been a year and a half since they’d left.

“How is she?” I looked at Avery as she chased her cousins. Her hair was in ponytails adorned by pink ribbons blowing in the wind. She’d gotten taller, leaner, and looked just like Vanessa. My heart ached; I missed her so much.

“Great. Avery is still the ball of sunshine she’s always been. All she talks about is Ms. Leela, her dance teacher. I'm glad you sent her those ballet slippers. She loves them.”

I smiled. “Me too.”

The familiar tune of Peaches’s ice cream truck caught the attention of the children playing at the park. Avery and her cousins looked at Valerie expectantly. The moment Avery’s eyes met mine, there was a glint of recognition then a slow smile covered her face. My heart swelled with pride as she ran to me with outstretched arms.

“Dir!” she shrieked as I tossed her into the air.

“Hey, big girl!” I hugged her, smiling wide at her giggles. “I can’t believe you remember me.”

“Vanessa says she asks about you every once in a while.”

“What does she tell her?” I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Valerie stared off in the distance. “That you had to stay here.”

“Mommy, can we get ice cream?” the oldest of the trio asked.

Valerie looked at the girls then sighed. “I don’t know.”

“My treat,” I said as the girls' expressions morphed to disappointment.

The trio jumped up and down with excitement. Valerie stayed behind with her kindle and Avery’s flowers. After sampling nearly every flavor and debating if they wanted cups or cones, the girls returned to the bench to eat their ice cream. I stood to the side, holding a stack of napkins. Valerie watched them eat their cones; concern etched on her face.

“What’s new with you, kiddo?” I asked Avery, still in awe at how much she’d grown.

“Mommy got a house. My room is pink and yellow.”

“Your favorite colors. I hear you’re a ballerina now.”

She nodded. “I dance with Ms. Leela. She’s nice to me and my friends.”

“Good. I got you something, wanna see?”

“Yeah!” Her eyes danced with excitement.

I reached into my back pocket and retrieved the small velvet box. She wiped her hands with the napkins I knew they’d need, then took the box from me.

“It’s so pretty,” Valerie cooed at the necklace I'd gotten for Avery’s birthday. The girls agreed with wide eyes and smiles of approval. I was so glad to not have returned it all those months ago. The twinkle in her eyes as she held up the sun-shaped pendant with a diamond center made the decision worth it.

“Want to put it on?” I asked Avery.

She nodded while handing me the chain. After clasping the necklace, I stepped back to get the full look. She was too adorable.

“What do you say?” Valerie warned lovingly.

“Thank you very much.”

I laughed and hugged her once more. After the girls finished their ice cream, we went to the swings where I pushed them until their hearts’ content. Avery was still the ball of sunshine I remembered and never ran out of things to say. We talked about her school, her new friends, and her favorite activities to do in Seattle. It was a relief to know not much of her routine had changed, I just wasn’t a part of it anymore. An hour went by before I knew it. A dark cloud covered the sun, prematurely ending our time at the park.

“Alright, girls. It looks like it’s about to rain.”