Fall to Pieces - Shari J. Ryan Page 0,91
it into her chest and hugs it with all her might.
Being able to witness this moment is why I do what I do. These rare times are worth every ounce of pain I witness daily. There are still happily-ever-afters.
Zooey removes the crown from her head and holds it down by her side. “Mr. Miller, I know I’m not a real printhess, but I do need a dad. Miss Tay told me you might be the best kind of dad in the entire world. Maybe someday you could be my real dad, right?”
I hate how grown-up Zooey sounds for a four-year-old. I hate how she understands so much at an early age, but I’m so thankful her life is going in the right direction now.
“It could happen,” Chance tells her. “Can I tell you a little story?”
Zooey steps in a little closer to Chance and plops down on his knee. I giggle at the sight like he’s Santa Clause to her.
“Okay,” she says. “I’m ready.”
“When I was a few years older than you, I was standing in this same spot when I got to meet the people who wanted to bring me home with them and take care of me. They became my parents, and I love them more than anything in the world. The day they took me home, I promised myself that when I grew up, I would do the same thing for a girl or boy who needed a home.”
“That’s me?” she questions, pointing to herself.
“That’s you,” he says, his voice breaking apart.
Zooey wraps her arms around Chance’s neck and whispers, “Thank you for saving me.”
I don’t allow myself to get emotional at work. There is no room for it here. I’ve trained myself to stop tears at the drop of a dime. I’ve gotten good at it, too good at it. I’m able to keep myself composed while watching this beautiful scene, but I’m breaking inside.
Everything truly happens for a reason. I could go as far as thinking that for Chance and Zooey to find each other, Keegan had to do what he did. If not, I wouldn’t have been getting myself in trouble at a bar. I wouldn’t have attracted the attention of this wonderful, one-in-a-million man who would later save me from a personal demise, which in turn allowed me to make his dream come true.
Chance invited me over for dinner tonight to celebrate all the happiness. I’ve considered the effect my presence might have on Zooey, so for now, until things move along with Chance and me, we’re going to make sure she believes we’re best friends, which is why we spend so much time together.
My heart tells me Chance and I are in this for the long haul, but baby steps are the way to go.
“Hey, over there,” I hear.
I look around for the voice, finding Chance’s next-door neighbor, Didi.
“Oh, hey, Didi. It’s Didi, right?” I had only met her that one time when Chance had gotten us breakfast.
“Yeah, it’s Didi. I just want to say it’s incredible what you did to help Chance. He’s lucky to have you. I—I um, I’ve been in love with the guy for ages now, but I’m not his type. I guess when you love someone, you end up just wanting the best for them, right?”
I’m shocked and beside myself to be a part of this conversation. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m sorry things didn’t work out, honestly.” Not really, but it’s the cordial thing to say to an honest woman.
“We weren't right for each other, but he’s happy. He’s got everything he wants, so—thank you for giving that to him.”
Didi gives me a small wave and walks back into her house. The interaction kind of winds me, but I need to refocus, so I’m in the right frame of mind before stepping inside.
Rather than letting myself into Chance’s house, I ring the doorbell. I hear voices on the other side, and as they grow closer, I can make out what they’re saying.
“Zooey, if you ever hear the doorbell ring, make sure you wait for me to answer the door first. We don’t want to open the door for a stranger, right?” Chance tells her.
“Nooo,” Zooey says. “Stranger danger is real.” I laugh because I taught her that.
Chance opens the door with a beaming smile from ear to ear. “Our guest has arrived, Princess Zooey.
Zooey is wearing n a new princess dress with a beautiful crown to match. “King Chance told me you were coming,”