Then and Now by Julia Jarrett

Author:Julia Jarrett [Julia Jarrett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Julia Jarrett
Published: 2022-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

Even with getting very little sleep last night, this morning, I’m energized.

“C’mon kiddo, let’s go get breakfast with Auntie Kat before I go to work.” I clap my hands together and Violet comes tripping down the hall, her hair flying behind her. She’s got a giant smile on her face, and it brings one onto mine as well.

She’s happy here.

“Daddy, I haf cootee, pease?”

“Nice talking, Vi! But you need to eat some breakfast first, then we can talk about a cookie. Okay?”

Man, when did she start using almost complete sentences? She’s growing up so damn fast.

Vi skips over to the front door and plops down on the floor. God, I got so lucky with her. She might be shy with new people, but other than that, she’s such an easygoing, happy kid.

I crank the music on her favourite Disney playlist for the short drive into town and park at the police station. The walk over to Camille’s café isn’t far, and a part of me is hoping to see Serena.

Pushing open the door to the café, Violet’s hand clutches mine tightly. There are quite a few people in here, but when she sees my cousin, she starts pulling me in that direction.

“Auntie Kat! Auntie Kat!”

“Hey, peanut!”

Kat walks over and drops down, arms open, and I watch my daughter beeline for a hug. She and Kat are becoming close, and it’s a huge relief to have another adult with whom Violet has connected.

When I reach the two of them, Violet is babbling on to Kat about who knows what, but my cousin is nodding and smiling as if she follows every word.

“Come on, missy, let’s sit down and get breakfast before Daddy has to go to work.” I lift Violet up and sit her down at a nearby table. “Can you grab her some milk, Kat?”

My cousin nods. “You betcha. Coffee for you?”

“Yes, please. And a breakfast sandwich.” I ruffle Violet’s hair. “Hey Vi, what do you want today, eggs or pancakes?” Yeah, it’s a trick question. I already know the answer.

“Pancakes, pease.”

Kat gives us a thumbs up and heads over to the counter to put in our order as I reach into Violet’s backpack to dig out a hair elastic.

“We forgot to braid your hair, honey, you okay with a ponytail today?”

“Rena!”

My head snaps round, searching for her. Vi starts squirming in her seat and I let her go. Serena’s over on the bakery side of the building, but she must hear Violet because she turns around just in time for Violet to crash into her legs, squeezing them.

I make my way over, my hands stuffed in my pockets so I don’t do anything stupid like hug her just as hard as my daughter.

“Hey,” I say softly over Violet’s head.

“Hi.”

“Sleep well?”

I see her fighting back a smile as a flush covers her cheeks. “Yeah. I did. You?”

Slowly I shake my head. “Not really. Couldn’t stop thinking about last night.”

I don’t miss the catch of her breath and wink at her.

“Hey you two, breakfast is ready over here.

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