Perfection

60 Days After, 328 Days Until

Sam

I sat my keys down on the counter and returned Alexia's car keys to the hook next to the garage door. Just as I was going to announce I was back, I heard Riley's voice.

"Do you think Mommy will like it?"

"I think she'll love it." I could imagine the smile on Riley's face. "I love it. It's very artsy. Is that the word your teacher used?"

"Yeah. She said it was artsy. She also didn't believe me when I said mommy knows you."

"You know me too."

I walked around the corner. The two were sat at the glass dining table, their backs turned towards me. Plates of food were pushed across from them.

"I know. I said that too. But then Mrs. Suarez said I had a...exercised imagination."

"What does that mean?"

I leaned against the wall. Alexia was holding a paper in her hand, but her full attention was on Riley. She was swinging her legs because she couldn't touch the ground. Alexia had her left knee propped up on one of the empty chairs.

"Well, she used a different word but she said it meant exercising."

"Active?"

"Yeah, that!"

"She told you, you have an active imagination after you told her you know me?" My daughter nodded in her seat. "Do you think your mom will be mad if I talk to your teacher?"

"Have you met Mommy?"

"Hey!" I walked into the room. "I'm not that mean."

"Sometimes."

I noticed the paper in Alexia's hand. It was a drawing. Three people (stick-figures) sat on a couch (I think), in front of a TV and a dog (I think), and a soccer ball.

"It's me and you and Alexia watching Tangled. Then there's Nala with a soccer ball. Do you like it?"

It's very colorful.

I kissed the top of her head. "I love it."

"Mrs. Suarez says I have an active imagination. Is that a good thing?"

"It usually is."

"Well," Alexia carefully took it out of my hands. "We should put it on the fridge." She got up out of the chair she was in and walked over into the kitchen. She grabbed a Barcelona magnet and stuck it on the corner. She stepped back and looked at it. "Perfecto."

"I like it." Riley nodded in approval.

"It's late and you have school tomorrow. How about—"

"Are we staying here again? Can we? I like it here. Nala sleeps in bed with me."

"So, that's where she goes." Alexia mumbled next to me. "If it's okay with you," her hand fell to my lower back. "I wouldn't be mad if you stayed."

"I—Sure. Okay. Go on. I'll come say goodnight in a minute."

"Yay!" Riley ran over to Alexia and hugged her. "Goodnight."

"Buenas noches, Princesa."

Riley then ran out of the room and I turned to the woman behind me. She was leaned back against the counter and her arms were crossed. She had a small smile on her face too.