Sophia clutched her blue notebook as she walked into Nick's home office, her hair tied in a messy ponytail, paint still on her fingers from art class.
"Daddy," she said, "my teacher said you have to read my homework before I turn it in."
Nick pushed away his paperwork with a tired smile.
"Of course, princess. Come here."
She climbed onto his lap, handed him the notebook, and waited with expectant eyes.
The title hit him first.
"The Woman Who Reminds Me of Mommy."
Nick froze.
A cold rush ran through his spine.
Mommy Ally.
He looked down at his daughter slowly.
"Sophia… is this about—"
She nodded eagerly.
"Miss Samantha."
The ground shifted beneath him.
His throat closed.
But Sophia didn't notice; she was excited, proud.
"Daddy, I wrote it all by myself."
Nick swallowed hard and turned the page.
---
The Essay
"The woman who reminds me of Mommy Ally in my dream is Miss Samantha.
She looks at me the same way Mommy did in my dreams.
Warm.
Safe.
