Florecer

Weird

     Lily had ended up sleeping at Tracy's because she was too lazy and tired from Christina's party to bother driving herself home. She helped put Danny to bed then stayed up a little with Tracy, for as long as Tracy could since she had work in the morning. Then, when it was time for the adults to get to bed, Lily joined Tracy and they slept together the way they used to as children, then continued to do even as grown women. They cuddled up together without shame and fell asleep in a bubble of bliss.

     In the morning, Lily woke because the rest of the house already was awake, and she chatted with Tracy as Tracy got dressed for work. It wasn't a really conversation, just one that was fun and playful with lots of inside jokes. Then when Tracy was nearly finished, Lily went to check on Danny to see how his morning routine was getting along. He was half-dressed and yawning. Lily prodded him along until he was finished and giggling, then carried him to the kitchen to get something ready. She figured she should make something wholesome since Tracy didn't have the time. In the end, she made quick waffles, eggs, and bacon, and served Danny as Tracy was doing a last check to see if she had everything for the day.

     "Eat," Lily insisted, serving an extra plate.

     Tracy smiled gratefully but didn't sit. "We've got to hurry. I have to take Danny before I can go to work."

     Lily shrugged like it was nothing. "Don't worry about it. Sit and eat. I'll take him, alright?"

     "Yeah?"

     "Of course."

     Tracy sighed, glad, then sat. She had time now to have a proper breakfast. "You're the best."

     "Always have been."

     As Tracy chuckled and rolled her eyes, Lily sat back in her seat and ate her breakfast. She enjoyed having her loved ones around for the meal, more so because she was almost always alone, and she savored it. It didn't even bother her when Tracy started speeding up and watching the clock. She could always come by for a visit, after all.

     "Alright, let's go," Lily urged when Tracy was ready to go and Danny was all done with his plate.

     Danny hopped off his seat and fetched his pack. The lot of them left together but separated at the sidewalk. Though not before Danny could give his mother a big hug and kiss, of course.

     Lily honked a goodbye to Tracy as they backed away and veered off in different directions, and Danny continued to wave until he could no longer see Tracy's vehicle. It was a sweet moment that Lily couldn't help but warm at.

     As they drove, Danny prattled on about all the things they could do as a family when school was over. In his mind he had assumed Lily would be staying for a while. Lily didn't have the heart to tell him no, and, anyway, she figured, Tracy wouldn't mind some company for another day or two. They could probably fit some fun things in that time.

     Lily arrived at Danny's school early enough that she snagged a parking space near the front doors. She parked skillfully then looked through the rear view mirror and stared at Danny, who was smacking his lips quietly and watching through the window.

     "Want me to walk you in?"

     He turned his head to smile at Lily. "Yes, please."

     Lily exited the car then swerved around it to help Danny out of his booster seat and onto solid ground. She held his hand as they walked, and he held back, his tiny fingers curled around hers warmly. When they reached the front doors Lily paused to see if Danny wanted her to go all the way inside with him like last time. He smiled because he wanted just that. So she joined him inside among the other children, parents, and teachers. It appeared that everyone was having a remotely jovial day and that made Lily brighten up a little bit more. The happiness was infectious.