Miss, Do I Know You?

18 - Friday, December 18

The early morning was marked by a blanket of snow that brought an actual winter alongside the low temperatures for the first time that year. Holiday season was nearly upon us, half of the school gone so quickly, and though I disliked the cold, I could not deny the beauty of the feeling of waking up to a world wrapped in white. Just in time for the holidays, too.

I started the day by scurrying around the kitchen and trying to be as quiet as I could. And when I heard the door open at the end of the corridor and quiet footsteps padding their way over, my spirits lifted even higher. A drowsy boy emerged from the darkness with hair a tangled mess, pajama shirt slightly askew, and eyes barely locking onto me as he walked up and gave me a rather large yawn.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." I knelt down and smiled. "Did I wake you?"

His head shook slowly in response, and it was clear he had only just woken up, his eyelids heavy and his awareness still foggy. He then opened his arms and looped them around my neck. We stayed like that for a few moments, and I had to resist the strong urge to hug him tightly. I had to admit, he was growing on me a little too much.

Remembering something Alex had mentioned last month, I gently scurried him over to the window. And as soon as I opened the curtains, every ounce of sleep left his eyes. "Snow," he whispered, looking up at me with a radiant grin. "Can we go outside?"

"I don't know if we should. Maybe when you go to school, okay?" I suggested, to which he nodded. But a part of me could not possibly say no to him. "Or maybe we can go on the balcony?"

The brightness that came onto his face lightened the room as he ran to the front door and grabbed his jacket. I helped him with the boots and gloves, and then hoped that the open door wouldn't let too much of a draft in to wake Alex. The balcony was dark and cold as expected, and I was about to apologize that we should probably head right back when I caught his giggles and swallowed my words. I stood there, watching him throw snowballs into the yard, and prayed that life would keep him as wholesome as he was.

When I saw the tip of his nose turn a slight pink, I knew it was time to head indoors. "So, breakfast?" I said, rushing him inside. "What do you want?"

His blue eyes flitted around thoughtfully before a mischievous grin spread across his adorable face. "Candy?"

I shook my head in mock disapproval. "I'm not your mom, but I do have some common sense."

He snickered. "Ice cream?"

I gave him an exasperated look but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "One last chance."

"Pancakes?"

"Pancakes it is."

As I set to work, Benji stood by my side and watched my every move with keen interest. During the days I'd spent with her, Alex had been the one to make breakfast, and part of me savored the rare opportunity to do it myself. Him being there made it even better. I let him crack the eggs, and he seemed to take great pleasure in being a little helper.

"Do you know if your mom likes pancakes?" I glanced over at Benji as I poured the batter into the sizzling pan, but all he did was shrug. "Maybe you know what she really likes?"

He grimaced. "Oatmeal."

My mouth fell open in mock disbelief. "Looks like someone doesn't."

"It's disgusting," he answered matter-of-factly. "And it looks like slime."

His response made us both laugh, and I felt a lightness in my heart that I hadn't expected. We went on talking while I watched the food cook, discussing our favorite flavors for ice cream and debating the best toppings for waffles. Sometimes, it didn't feel like I was talking to a little kid.