NovelEnglishNERVES
JOSH PRESENT
| left practice feeling on edge, my nerves stretched thin. I'd been trying to focus all day-running plays, hitting
drills, anything to keep my mind occupied-but it wasn't enough. The urge to check in on Asha had been clawing
atfrom the moment | left her at daycare that morning.
Jess had told| needed to trust people more. That | couldn't hover over Asha forever, but that advice was
easier said than done. She wasn't the one who had to wake up in the middle of the night to a quiet house that
used to be full of life.
Still, | forced myself to let go, just a little. I didn't text the nanny. | didn't call the daycare. But Miss Worth-well,
she seemed to know the nerves of a new parent when she saw one. She'd sentupdates every couple of
hours withoutasking, a surprising kindness | hadn't expected.
At first, when | saw the notifications pop up, | thought they might've been from a reporter or srandom
stranger trying to get a reaction. But when | opened them, they were just short updates, simple and reassuring.
"Asha had her snack and loved the banana slices!"
"She's been playing with the blocks her favorite color seems to be blue!"
And finally, a picture.
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I'd stopped dead in my tracks in the locker room when | saw it. Asha was sitting on a play mat, her little hands
gripping a stuffed bear as she smiled up at the camera. Her cheeks were round and pink, her curls wild and
unruly, and her eyes... God, she looked so much like Laura.
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The knot in my throat returned, tight and suffocating. | swallowed it down and forced myself to focus.
My phone buzzed again-an email this time. Dr. Harrington's npopped up in the subject line.
| didn't open it.
Without hesitation, | swiped it into the archive folder, the sway | had with the last few monthly updates.
They'd call if it was serious. I'd made that clear to them. The emails were always the sanyway: no significant
changes, a reminder to stay hopeful, and a final line about how miracles happen.
But they don't.
Not for us.
| shoved my phone into my pocket, slung my gym bag over my shoulder, and headed out to my truck.
The school parking lot was mostly empty by the t| pulled up, the sun dipping low in the sky. | was paying
extra for Asha to stay a little later, givingtto get through practice. When | walked into Miss Worth's
classroom, the soft hum of her voice caughtoff guard.
She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, Asha cradled in her
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lap, her eyes fluttering closed as Miss Worth sang quietly. The room was calm, the walls painted in soft blues and
whites, with the rainbow mural casting a gentle glow in the dim light.
| hesitated at the door, not wanting to interrupt.
Then | knocked softly.
Her singing stopped mid-line, and she looked up, startled. "Oh gosh, Mr. Saunders. | didn't see you there."
Her voice was warm, her tone apologetic, but her smile never wavered. She looked back down at Asha, brushing
a hand lightly over her curls. "She just passed out a few minutes ago. Should make for a peaceful ride home." |
stepped farther into the room, my boots heavy against the soft carpet.
Miss Worth carefully shifted Asha, standing up and holding her as if she weighed nothing. "Here you go," she
said, offering her
over to me.
| took Asha into my arms, her tiny body warm and relaxed against my chest. She stirred slightly, letting out a soft
sigh before settling again.
"Thank you," | said, my voice low. | adjusted Asha, cradling her againstas | looked down at the woman in
front of me.
She tucked a stray curl behind her ear, her glasses sliding down her nose again. "Of course," she said, her gaze
shifting back to Asha. "She's a joy to have here. Really. You don't need to worry about her." 12:07
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| nodded, unsure of what to say.
"And thank you," | added after a pause. "For the updates. They... helped."
Her eyes flicked up to mine, and for a
moment, | thought she might 3H
something elsed braced ryse for
the fueDioRs the judgment that
always seemed to follow. But it never
came. The content is on
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Instead, she smiled softly, her hazel eyes warm. "I'm glad they did. | know it's not easy leaving her."
The simplicity of her words caughtoff guard, the understanding in her tone wrapping aroundlike a balm.
| nodded again, turning toward the door. "Have a good afternoon, Miss Worth."
"You too, Mr. Saunders. Have a safe drive."
| walked out of the classroom, Asha
still asleep in my qreps Thetightiess
In-my chesPldosened, just a fraction.
As | strapped her into her car seat, |
glanced at her Pea lgtyace bering
aeRpe ¢ Laura's that it
htt to look at her sometimes. The
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the latest chapter there!
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