Missing Her

Part 2

The coffee pot had beeped more than a few times, but you didn't hear it. Your mind was a million miles away thanks to the phone call you'd gotten the night before. No sleep had come after that and really, how could it? Learning that Dean was alive and wanted to see you were really all you could think about.

"Mommy," Ollie said softly from beside you, her small hand pulling on your sleeve. "Are you alright? Your coffee is done."

The spell was broken, and you looked down at her. "Hmm? What was that?"

She pointed at the coffee pot. "It's done."

"Oh, thanks." You gave her a lacking, half smile and poured a cup.

"Are you ok momma?" she asked, pulling herself up onto one of the counter stools and reaching for the pack of chocolate chip muffins next to her.

You smiled again, trying to make it more genuine this time, and reached for the bananas. "Yeah, I'm fine baby. Here, have this with that, please."

Ollie rolled her eyes, as most eight-year-olds do, and took it reluctantly. "Why? They're so gross and mushy. Can't I just have the muffin? I promise to eat the apple in my lunch today."

You gave her a knowing look, which she ignored and concentrated on her muffin.

"You and I both know you will trade that apple for whatever sugary treat your bestie brings in today."

"She likes to share!" she pleaded, her little green eyes ablaze with mercy.

"I'm sure she does, but I like you eating at least one piece of fruit a day. So, it's the muffin and banana, or the apple at lunch."

"Fine," she relented and peeled the banana. Ollie took a bite and glared at you while doing so, which just reminded you how much she looked, and acted, like Dean. "Having a mom who is a nurse, sucks like crap through a straw."

"Olivia Kate! What have we talked about?"

"Language."

"And?"

"Sarcasm..."

"And?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Use both in moderation."

You shook your head and had to resist the urge to say something like 'you are more and more like your father every day'. The truth was, Ollie was so much like her dad, it sometimes sent you for a loop. She not only bore his physical features, but his mannerisms and facial expressions. Olivia had never spent a moment in his presence, yet she was his 'mini-me' in so many ways.

"So, after school today, what's the plan?" she asked, already putting the admonishing behind her.

"What's the plan?" you asked, nearly choking on your coffee. "Plan for what?"

"After school, mom. Is Daddy picking me up today, or are you?"

"Oh, uh, I'm not sure. Is it my day?"

Ollie shrugged. "I dunno. I'm the kid here, shouldn't you remember?"

"Fair enough. And yes, I should remember, I'm sorry. It was a little bit of a rough night."

Ollie's face turned serious and she gazed at you curiously, her head ever so slightly tilted to the side, her petite but pouty lips pointed in a frown. "What happened? Did Aunt El call with someone who was hurt again?"

"No, baby, everyone's fine. But I did get a call from an old friend, and it just sorta surprised me."

You leaned your elbows down on the counter near where she was eating her breakfast and thought about how you should proceed. Not bringing up Dean before had been a conscious choice because how you left things, and then after that, he had asked you not too. But now, things were different. He was alive, and he wanted to see you.