The Shadow of Our Past

Darling

Kira closes her eyes and rests her curled legs onto mine and her head on my shoulder. I breathe in, letting the scent of roses and subtle black coffee that always seems to accompany her invade my senses. We stay like this for the next half an hour while Jess, Ethan and Amy all chat amongst themselves, occasionally asking for our opinion on a random topic. Kira's eyes flutter open and her lips pull into a giddy smile when the distinctive sound of a car pulling into the driveway can be heard from inside the house. Her head pops up, loose hair messily framing her face.

"Kira," I catch her attention before she can shoot up from the couch. She hums with confusion as I reach a hand up to the side of her head, silently asking to fix her hair. She complies and tilts her head, letting my careful hand brush back a few strands behind her ear. As I pull my hand away, the entryway door opens with a squeak and two heavy footsteps follow. Kira pops up from her spot, practically sprinting over to the door before I have the chance to push myself up and follow her.

I peek around the corner shyly with a wave of self doubt washing over me. Kira is lifted off the ground by a muscly, six foot man. He has brown, messy hair and a multitude of tattoos running along his arms. He swings Kira around with ease, making her look even more tiny than she already is. Morgan approaches him from the kitchen as he sets Kira down, his attention turning to her. He bends down to tenderly kiss his wife and I look at the ground to allow them a moment.

"Ah, and you must be Ben." My head shoots up to look at him as he speaks in a gravelly voice, a slight accent that I can't place slipping through. He laughs at my wide eyes and rigid posture, extending a hand to me. "Kira told me about you, I don't bite." I smile back at him and take his hand firmly. He gives it a curt shake, then releases it to fall back to my side.

"It's nice to meet you," I say kindly and his green eyes squint with a smile.

"You too kid," He returns.

He pulls off his boots and greets the other three, then strides over to the couch to plop down onto it. Kira chipperly glides over to the living room to join him, practically bubbling with excitement. Instead of joining her, I rest my elbow on the counter that's lined with barstools and smile as I watch her ecstatically share stories and quips with her dad.

"She's quite the daddy's girl," I remark as her mom approaches me. She hums her agreement, smiling at the memories that statement must bring to her mind.

"And she always has been." She smiles and I nod, watching as Kira throws her head back with laughter that makes my already smiling lips pull back farther. "I trust you to be there for her when I can't be," she states with a serious tone after a few moments of silence.

"I will be, I should have been," I once again speak my remorse aloud, sharing Morgan's same regret.

She turns her head to give me a comforting yet melancholic smile. "And now we both have the chance to make it up to her, so let's not waste it," she reassures, patting me on the back and walking away before I get the opportunity to respond.

I let her and Jason's words from days ago sink in, feeling a heavy weight pull on my mind. But when I look around, spotting Amy and Morgan chatting in the kitchen, Jess and Ethan hugging by the large clock in the corner and Kira and Sean catching up in the living room, I feel that weight lighten. I am far from the only one being depended on. We are all carrying a burden, all pulling each other along and that's how we'll push through this. Together.

After a few more minutes, Kira's dad stands from his spot on the couch and ruffles Kira's hair tenderly. He bends down to pick up a meowing Maxine from the floor, flipping her over to cradle her like a baby. I stifle a laugh at the sight of such a small animal in such a large and imposing man's arms, instead letting out a small snort. This catches his attention and he grins up at me. My eyes widen in surprise mixed with a tinge of fear, body once again ridged as he approaches me with Maxine still in his arms.