Page 6 of Always You
“Dad!” I scream with such intensity that I can taste the smoke. “Please, someone, my dad, he’s in the house!”
As I try to run into the house, Dominic grabs me. “No, Angel, you can’t go in there!” Dominic shouts, holding me in his arms.
Two firemen run out without my dad, just as the house collapses. I run to them, pleading with them, begging to get my dad. One of them whispers something to the police officer.
Dominic is holding me so tight I can’t breathe. An officer comes up to me. “Sweetie, is there anyone you can call?”
I ignore his question.
“Did you find my dad?” I howl.
“Honey, I’m sorry we couldn’t find him. Is there a relative you can call?” the officer says helplessly.
I drop to the floor, where Dominic cradles me—weeping in his arms.
I stir from the haunting dream, the guilt of the night I snuck out is still fresh in my mind. Every now and again, I can't help but think about how things could have turned out differently. I know my father would be relieved that I’m alive, but deep down there’s a part of me that keeps wondering what if? The longing for him is almost too much to bear. My dad was a great man. The love he had for me was unconditional. I never saw him with other women. His affection for my mom started in high school and lasted until the day he died. He had opened the restaurant when I was about ten years old; my mother had a dream of opening her own diner. My dad wanted to fulfill his dream for her. They had a love I’ve always wanted for myself. The day I lost Dominic, I felt I would never find love again. I tried dating. Well, I shouldn’t say dating. It was more like friends with benefits. I can’t commit to anyone. Having a child makes it more complicated. Men my age don’t want to date a girl with a child. I’ve hoped to find love and a second chance at fate. I’m not sure when that will be, and I’m in no rush. If it happens, it happens.
two
MILA
Photographing newborns always warms my heart. The smile on the parents’ faces is priceless and makes my job worth it. I had three newborn shoots this morning. Two slept through the entire session. One cried the whole time and finally stopped fussing with a pacifier. Once she settled down, I swayed her to sleep, took the pacifier out, and I snagged a shot of the precious baby.
I have so many pictures of Dante. I never wanted to miss any moments. I tried to capture as much as I could to look back at as he gets older.
“Hello.” Sophie waves her hand in front of my face. “Been calling your name.”
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Let’s go to the coffee shop next door. The hot guy who works there always asks for you. Seems sweet; you should go on a date with him.” Sophie winks at me with her big ocean-blue eyes.
I chuckle. “He is sweet, but I’m not going to ask him.”
We walk to Joe’s Coffee Shop, and Brian, the barista, greets me, his smile wide, his teeth strikingly white on his tanned face. A swath of wavy, golden hair falls casually on his forehead. His shoulders, a yard wide and molded bronze.
“Hey, Mila, how’s it going? Pretty girl having the usual?”
“Hi, Brian, how are you doing? Yes, the usual, you know what I like.”Jeez, that sounds like flirting.I haven’t done it in a long time. I probably sound like an idiot.
Brian gives me a wink.
“It’s on me. I’ll get it right to you.” His blue eyes dance in the sunlight as he scans my profile.
“Oh… Thank you, that’s sweet of you.” Sophie and I sit next to a window.
“I’m going to wash my hands. I got some sticky stuff on my hand,” Sophie says as she walks to the restroom.
Brian emerges to our table, iced coffee in hand. The cup is decorated with a bright-colored dot, and the straw is balanced between it.
“Here you go, pretty girl. Your iced coffee.” He then pulls a chair up next to me, our faces only inches apart.
He looks into my eyes with an intensity I haven’t experienced in years. The warmth of his stare fills me with a strange sensation of comfort and fear, as if I’m experiencing it for the first time. My palms begin to sweat. It’s been a hell of a long time since a man has looked at me this way or maybe I just never noticed.
“How was the beach yesterday? I saw Dante building a sandcastle. Haven’t seen him stop by with you.”
“It was good. We had fun. Weekends are pretty lazy for us, so I rarely make it in to get coffee, we usually make some at home.”
He nods. “Yeah, I get it.” He clears his throat and licks his plump lips. “I would like to know more about you if you let me… Have dinner with me on Saturday?”
