Page 30 of Burden to Bear

So, once my darling niece made it over to me with the cookie cutters, I took them from her and said, “I’m not that old, buttercup. Thirty-three is still very young.”

“It feels like it’s the same as being one hundred.”

Despite our best efforts, neither Mia nor I could hold back the laughter any longer. It spilled out of us, easing any of the tension that had been lingering there for me. I hoped it did the same for Mia. She certainly appeared to be happier than she had been outside when Izzy had questioned her about having a boyfriend.

I used the cookie cutters, finished the preparation of our lunches by adding the sliced apples to the plates as well as graham crackers, and carried the plates over to the table. As I set the plates down in front of the girls, I asked, “What can I get you to drink, Mia?”

She bit her lip, forcing my eyes to drop to them, as her body tensed, and her shoulders drifted up toward her ears. She appeared to be nervous to respond to my question.

Returning my attention to her eyes, I asked, “Is everything okay?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m weird.”

My brows drew together. “For what you want to drink? Why would I think you’re weird?”

“Well, it’s just that I love eating peanut butter sandwiches with milk,” she revealed.

“Me too!” Izzy squealed.

I laughed again, feeling something warm come over me as my gaze shifted between Izzy and Mia. Why did this feel so good?

“I’ve got plenty of milk,” I announced before turning around and making my way back to the refrigerator.

Maybe it was silly, but I liked knowing this tiny detail about Mia. It made me eager to know even more about her. And if what I’d believed was the case with her, it was likely I wouldn’t have a difficult time making that happen.

Mia was outgoing, and now that she was single, I’d be far more willing to engage in conversations that went beyond the typical things we discussed whenever we stopped at our mailboxes for a quick chat at the end of every workday. Given her personality, I believed she’d be receptive to those conversations.

And although I couldn’t be entirely sure about where she stood emotionally now that she was post breakup, Mia had shared with Izzy that even though she’d been sad previously, she was finding things to be happy about now.

Maybe spending time with me could be something she found happiness in.

I made it back to the table with three cups of milk, and after I grabbed my own lunch off the kitchen counter, I finally joined the girls and grabbed a seat.

“This looks wonderful, Brock,” Mia declared.

I glanced down at the plates, felt a wave of disbelief move through me, returned my attention to Mia, and laughed. “While I’m not what I’d consider a professional chef, I can promise you that my cooking skills go beyond peanut butter sandwiches.”

Mia smiled at me, lifted her sandwich in her hand, and said, “I don’t doubt your ability with other foods. I mean, this is the fanciest peanut butter sandwich I’ve ever had.” She took a bite, and I couldn’t bring myself to look away from her. Fortunately, she didn’t catch me staring at her mouth, because she turned her focus to Izzy and said, “Your uncle was right. You two make some excellent sandwiches.”

“They’re my favorite,” Izzy revealed. “And I think they taste better when they are cut into shapes.”

“I agree with you. This is the best I’ve ever tasted, and you’re so lucky to have an uncle who makes it fun for you.”

Izzy was five. I didn’t see how it could be any other way than fun.

The three of us had about a minute or so of silence as we ate some of our food, but I eventually broke that silence and asked Mia, “So, where were you coming from today when we saw you outside?”

Mia grabbed her glass of milk and took a sip before she answered, “With the weather getting nicer, I thought I’d take advantage and go out for a walk. Not only did I get some exercise while the sun was shining on my face, but I also got to explore a bit more of the neighborhood, since I moved in when it was so much colder outside.”

“Did you have plans for today? We’re not keeping you from anything, are we?” I pressed.

She shook her head. “No. Not at all. Or, well, you’re not keeping me from anything fun or important. I do have to get some grocery shopping and laundry done today, but that can all wait until later.”

I gave her a nod of understanding, but before I could respond, Izzy asked, “Do you have a dog, Mia?”

A bright smile formed on her face at the sound of my niece’s voice. “No, I don’t. Do you?”

Izzy shook her head. “Daddy said that’ll be too much work right now, but maybe when I’m older. Do you have any animals?”

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