I took him to a child psychologist, but either the therapist wasn’t great, or our case was too tough. It didn’t help much. Timmy barely gets by in school. Doesn’t talk to classmates much.
The only thing he enjoys is drawing. I wanted to enroll him in art school, but he refuses. At home, he spends all day sketching in notebooks.
With paints, pencils.» «I saw Timmy’s drawings. We had an art lesson yesterday.
Your son definitely has talent. It’d be great to nurture it.» «I think so too.
If he doesn’t want art school, maybe find a private teacher? Someone to teach him techniques, skills. I never could draw, so I don’t know much about it. Know any art teachers who’d work with Timmy? I’d pay, of course.» «How about I work with Timmy?» Emily offered, surprising herself. «I went to art school, so I have the skills. And you know I’m good with kids.
Maybe I can spark his interest? If it works, I might convince him to try art school next year. I won an art contest once as a kid.
It really boosts confidence.» Emily felt deep sympathy for this boy, struggling with his mother’s loss. She felt for little Tanya, growing up without a mom.
And she genuinely sympathized with Ethan. The more she talked to him, the stronger her compassion grew. The initial awkwardness from thinking he judged her for the crosswalk incident was gone.
Now she saw Ethan as a kind, good man, a caring, loving father. He must have deeply loved his late wife, maybe still did. Emily thought again about life’s unfairness.
A wonderful family with two kids, torn apart in an instant because some reckless person drove drunk. «Ms. Emily, you’d really work with Timmy?» Ethan said, delighted.
«That’d be amazing, especially since Timmy knows you. The key is getting him to agree. I’ll try talking to him.
If it works out, I’d be so grateful. We’ll discuss payment.» «Oh, no,» Emily exclaimed.
«I won’t take any money.» «Why not?» Ethan sounded confused. «You shouldn’t spend your time on my son for free.
Any work deserves payment.» «What if I don’t see it as work? What if I just want to help Timmy?» «Just help?» «Yes, Mr. Ethan, from the heart. I think if Timmy gets serious about drawing, enters contests or exhibits, it could open him up, help him heal.» «Alright, Ms. Emily,» Ethan agreed after a pause.
«Honestly, I thought people like you, helping selflessly, were rare these days. You remind me of my Danielle. She had such a kind soul, a big heart.
She fed and cared for stray dogs and cats. She was a vet by profession. Max, our cat, was her find too.
Found him near a dumpster, mangy, skinny, with an injured paw. She brought him home, nursed him.
He stayed with us.» Ethan spoke of his wife with such warmth that Emily’s heart ached. She thought of her ex-husband James, who called her a suitcase without a handle.
Why didn’t she meet someone like Ethan? He wouldn’t have pushed for an abortion. Her life could’ve been different. But fate gave her James, who betrayed her.
And Ethan met his Danielle, with whom he was so happy, but lost too soon. Left with two young kids. Everyone has their own path, their own fate.
And sometimes fate hits hard, taking what’s dearest. «Here’s my building,» Ethan said, assuming she had a husband and kids, but she was alone. «Mr. Ethan, you need to get Tanya,» Emily reminded him.
«Oh, right, I’m off. Thank you again, goodbye.» Emily lingered by the building, watching Ethan go, then headed home, where her faithful friend Charlie awaited. She entered her building and started up the stairs when she remembered she had no bread, and Charlie’s dry food was down to one serving.
She decided to stop by the store near the daycare where Ethan was picking up Tanya. Passing the daycare, Emily saw Ethan on the playground, holding a little girl’s hand. He was talking to a woman, likely Tanya’s teacher.
Emily couldn’t help but watch the girl. She was adorable, like a doll, with charming curls. Emily’s heart tightened.
Such a sweet child, growing up without a mom. Of course, she had a loving dad, but no one could replace a mother. Emily thought she’d give anything to be a mom to such a girl.
How could she have ended her pregnancy fifteen years ago? Why did she listen to James? Everything could’ve been different, but no one can turn back time and fix mistakes. What’s done is done. And that pain would stay with her forever.
Emily glanced at Ethan and Tanya again and hurried to the store. It had been a tough day. She felt exhausted.
She wanted to get home, pet Charlie, eat dinner, and sleep. Tomorrow wouldn’t be easy either. And she had to talk to Timmy.
Emily was determined to convince him to develop his talents and offer her help. Learning about this family’s tragedy touched her deeply. She wanted to help this boy, so withdrawn after losing his mom.
Ethan walked home, holding Tanya’s hand, thinking about Emily. Young, attractive, and single. Why? It seemed odd.
Emily struck him as kind and compassionate. She clearly loved her job and students. Why no family or kids? And those sad eyes.
Even when she smiled, her eyes stayed sad. What secret did they hold? Tanya interrupted his thoughts. «Daddy, can we get a dog?» she asked.
«A dog? We have a cat.» «I want a dog like Katie’s.» «Katie has a dog?» «Yes.
Katie’s mom picks her up with her dog. It’s called Toffee. I want a dog too.
I’d walk it, feed it. Daddy, can we?» «Tanya, a pet’s a big responsibility.
We have Max. Let’s hold off on a dog, okay?» «But Daddy…» she started to whimper.
«I don’t have a mom. At least let me have a dog.» Her words hit Ethan hard.
He loved his kids dearly. After losing Danielle, he loved them even more. He saw them as an extension of his beloved wife and knew he had to be both parents to them now.
And he had to ensure they didn’t feel deprived. Little Tanya barely remembered her mom, only knew her from photos.
He told her about her wonderful, kind, caring, beautiful mom. The best.
He said she now lived on a cloud, watching over them, protecting their family. Tanya loved looking at her mom’s photo album, dreaming of growing up just as beautiful. And she looked so much like Danielle.
«Sweetie,» Ethan stopped and hugged Tanya. «I promise I’ll think about the dog.
Okay?» «Okay,» she nodded. «Really?» «Of course, my darling. Just don’t cry, please.
Want to go to the circus this Sunday?» «Yes!» Tanya cheered. «Can we go to that café? I loved the cupcakes.» «We’ll definitely go to the café.
The desserts are great. Let’s hurry home? Timmy and Max are waiting. Help me make dinner?» «Sure, Daddy,» she said confidently.
«I’m a big girl.» «My sunshine, I love you so much.» Ethan kissed her and they hurried home.
The next day, Emily asked Timmy Carter to stay after class. She said she had an important talk for him. He didn’t reply but nodded in agreement.
After lessons, Timmy approached her. «Ms. Emily, are you going to ask about that fight that got my dad called to school?» «No, Timmy, something else,» she said gently.
«Please, sit down.» Timmy sat at the front desk. «I know you love drawing,» Emily continued.
«Your dad told me yesterday, and I saw your sketches. I think you’re very talented. But talent needs nurturing.
You understand?» Timmy nodded. «Would you like to attend art school? I think you’d enjoy it.» «No,» he shook his head.
«Okay, different question. What if a teacher who’s good at drawing worked with you privately? How’s that?» Timmy shrugged, unsure how to respond. «Timmy, I haven’t taught your class long, but I see you’re a serious boy, really talented and smart.
What if I worked with you on drawing? Say, twice a week. Let’s try. If you don’t like it, we’ll stop.» «Did my dad hire you for this?» Timmy asked after a pause. «No, Timmy, not at all,» Emily reassured, caught off guard. «I won’t take any money. I love drawing too.
I went to art school as a kid. I even thought about a career in painting. But I chose to be an elementary teacher.
And I don’t regret it. I love my job. I want you to develop your skills, learn more.»
«You’d do it for free?» Timmy asked skeptically. «Yes, completely free.» «Got nothing better to do?» he snapped, and Emily felt uneasy.
She’d chosen the wrong words, and he reacted poorly. This wasn’t going to work. «Why nothing to do?» she replied.
«I have plenty to do. But what’s wrong with wanting to help a talented student?» «I don’t need help. I manage fine on my own,» he said sharply, standing. «And don’t pity me. Think I don’t know it’s because I don’t have a mom?» «Timmy!» Emily exclaimed.
«I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I’m going.
Goodbye.» She saw tears in his eyes as he left.
Emily was left alone, bewildered. Timmy was tough, if even a psychologist couldn’t help. She’d offered help sincerely, thinking he’d agree.
But his reaction made her feel guilty. She’d pushed, unintentionally, on his sore spot. «Why aren’t you heading home?» Rachel’s voice broke in as she entered the classroom.
«Working double shifts and staying late. Something wrong?» Emily told her about meeting Ethan Carter yesterday and how she wanted to help Timmy but failed. «Tough kid,» Rachel said understandingly.
«Don’t worry, you’re not at fault. Timmy might rethink your offer.» He reacted on emotion.
«He hurts so much from growing up without his mom. That’s why he lashed out. He’s still a kid, forced to grow up too soon after such loss. I wanted to warm his heart.»
«Or Ethan Carter’s heart?» Rachel smiled. «What!» Emily exclaimed, stunned by her words. «I wasn’t thinking anything like that.»
«Don’t be upset, Emily,» Rachel said warmly. «You know I see you as a daughter. I’m older and have learned to read people.
I think you and Ethan could be happy together. His kids need a mom, and you have so much unspent maternal love. You could love each other.»
«I don’t know.» Emily felt embarrassed. «I really just wanted to help Timmy, not thinking about his dad.
But maybe I did. Let’s get you home. You need rest.»
Rachel left, leaving Emily more confused. Maybe she was right? Was her feeling for this family more than sympathy? Ethan did appeal to her.
No use denying it. She thought of him after the crosswalk and café. Now, knowing he’s single… «Stop!» she told herself. «Don’t rush or fantasize.
It’s not certain he likes me, a man who loved his wife so much.» Yet the thought that fate kept bringing them together nagged at her. «Dad, did you ask Ms. Emily to teach me drawing?» Timmy asked when Ethan got home.
«No, son. She offered herself,» Ethan replied. «I think it’s a great idea.
What do you think?» «I said no,» Timmy muttered. «Why? You love drawing. Ms. Emily’s a good teacher and went to art school.
I saw her paintings and drawings. I really liked them.»
«Where’d you see her paintings?» Timmy asked, surprised. «You went to her house?» «No,» Ethan said. «I found her page on social media.
She posts her work there. Want to see?» Timmy looked at his dad, said nothing, and went to his room.
Ethan answered honestly. He always tried to be truthful with his kids. He hated lies and taught them never to deceive anyone.
Unless it was a white lie. But lying to loved ones was awful.
Last night, after putting the kids to bed and cleaning the kitchen, Ethan searched online for info about Emily. He was sure he’d find her on social media.
And he did. Her profile was open on a popular platform.