“Much better,” she sighed and leaned toward Ava.
“Sweetheart, let me see your ticket for a second. I just want to double-check the gate.”
Ava hesitated, then looked at me. I gave her a little nod.
She handed it over.
Darlene took it with a delicate, practiced grip. She examined it. She smiled at something only she seemed to see.
A flutter of paper. A gasp of air. And the ticket soared out the window, caught in the wind like a bird freed from a cage.
“My ticket!” Ava screamed.
“Well… isn’t that just a cruel twist of fate?” Darlene said.
And then she smiled at me. Like she’d won.
“Look, I think fate just didn’t want the two of you to go,” Darlene said.
I looked at her. Like I really looked at her. And I saw it. The satisfaction behind her eyes.
I almost lost it. I didn’t cry.
Instead, I breathed in, long and slow.
“You know what?” I said, my voice sweet and calm.
“Maybe you’re right. Fate has a funny way of working.”
“Wait, you’re not going to try to get on the flight? I’m sure the airport will…” Darlene said, her voice trailing off.
“No,” I said, calm and clear. “You go ahead. We’ll figure something out.”
I didn’t want Ava to remember her first trip through tears.
“I’m going to take the car back to the rental place,” I said.
“You and Jolene can take another one.”
“But… you already rented this one!” Darlene said.
“In my name,” I continued.
“I don’t want any liabilities.”
“Typical,” Darlene muttered under her breath.
“Hey, bug,” I said to Ava. “Want to get some pancakes later? Want to go on a secret adventure with Mom?”
“Can I get the dinosaur ones?” she asked, wiping her eyes.
“You bet, baby. Ronda at the diner will be so happy to see you!”
My daughter beamed at me.
