With Every Breath I Take

Chapter Thirteen: Listen

I groaned as I watched Blippi feed carrots to a tortoise. My coffee was doing very little to wake me up. I needed some of whatever Blippi started his mornings with.

"Theía, will you take me and Anthony to the zoo?" Teeny asked, as she lay on the floor in front of the TV.

"Mhmm," I mumbled.

"Theía, is that a yes?"

I continued to sip my coffee, thinking and overthinking about all the letters I received from Theo in the past three weeks.

"Theía," Teeny called out.

But, I was too distracted with my own thoughts to respond. Did Theo really care for me? Did he deserve another chance? If he really wasn't ashamed of me, then why did he say those things to Liam?

"Hey Linda," Teeny shouted, sounding annoyed. "Listen Linda, listen, listen to me."

I snapped out of my stupor and looked at Teeny."What is it, sweetheart?" I asked, embarrassed.

"Theía," she groaned, rolling her eyes at me. "Were you not paying attention? Will you take Anthony and me to the zoo?"

"Why?"

"Because, it'll be a cute first date."

"Teeny, sweetheart," I cajoled in my sweetest voice to avoid upsetting her. She struggled with making friends —and I was grateful she was hitting it off with Anthony— but that didn't mean I could kidnap the kid and take him to the zoo. "I doubt Anthony's parents would be okay with a stranger taking him to the zoo."

"Hmm," she hummed, tapping her finger on her chin. "Maybe, I should talk to Anna."

"Who's Anna?"

"Theía, do you not know anything? Anna is Anthony's mom."

"You know Anthony's mom?"

"Of course, she always packs an extra cookie in Anthony's lunchbox for me."

"Wow," I said, surprised. "Congratulations Teeny, you have a better mother-in-law than most people."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm so lucky." Then, she giggled and turned back to the TV.

And I tried to focus on Blippi as he moved on to the next animal habitat, but I was back in my own head.

Teeny was saying something about tigers being cooler than other animals at the zoo when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," she screeched and raced to the door.

I quickly followed her and opened the door, finding a package on my doorstep with an envelope taped to it.

"Oooh, theía, you have a present," Teeny gushed.

Shaking my head, I grabbed the package and we walked back inside. I took a seat on the couch as Teeny kneeled next to me, and we opened the box. I pulled out a little black dress with a white collar and studied it. Weird! It was in a kid's size.

"Oh my God, theía," Teeny squealed. "Someone got you a Wednesday dress."

"Sweetheart, I don't think this will fit me." I chuckled and handed her the dress. "Here you go, Teeny. I'm sure this is for you."

She gave me the brightest smile and grabbed it from me. As she oohed and aahed over her new dress, I opened the envelope and read my newest letter.

Dearest Thalia,

My gorgeous princess, I feel like my days and nights are empty without you. I've been hugging your pillow to sleep every night. Yesterday, after work, I was missing you so much that I watched your favorite movie. That's right, I watched Mr. Darcy try to win Lizzie's heart without anyone forcing me to. You must be laughing at me right now. There is something Mr. Darcy said that has been playing on a loop in my mind; 'You have bewitched me body and soul.' That's how I feel, sweetheart. I can't stop thinking about you. I can't stop missing you. I can't stop praying for your forgiveness.

I wanted to write another poem for today's letter, but then I discovered a poet who is much better at expressing love than I am. Her name is Sanober Khan. Have you heard of her, baby? She has this phrase that really resonates with me. 'You are the one breath that puts all remaining breaths back into my body.' That's you, Thalia. Without you, I feel like I can't breathe. My life has become meaningless. My days are spent working and coming home to an empty house. Please princess, give me another chance. I promise to ensure you do not regret it.

My workplace is hosting a happy hour tonight. Would you please come, sweetheart? It'll be at the karaoke bar down the street from the office. I'd like to share something with you, and I hope you'll be willing to listen.

Yours Always,
Theo

P.S. I hope Teeny loves the dress. She wouldn't stop fangirling over Wednesday at Leo's party. So, I decided to get her a little gift.

I re-read the letter ten more times. Then, I picked up my phone and made a call.