by Celeste, B.
“It’s Aria’s dog!”
I sigh, scrubbing my hands down my face. The last thing I expected was Ollie to bring up getting a dog when he seemed reluctant about getting Oreo. When I realized it was what Aria wanted, it all clicked into place.
My husband is a sucker.
“Fine. I’ll look when I get back.”
When we walk into the Main Office, I tell the secretary it’s Milo’s first day. From the corner of my eye, I notice a little girl sitting off to the side, swinging her legs back and forth in a bright blue chair. She stares at the floor, playing with her fingers, while a woman who looks slightly familiar speaks in low tones with the other secretary.
She must notice me watching, because she looks over and blinks. Her head tilts and I wonder if we’ve seen each other before. Her hair is red, natural by the looks of it, but I don’t put the pieces together right away.
“Sorry,” I apologize. “Do we know each other? You just look—”
“Really familiar,” she finishes, walking over and sticking out her hand. “I’m Piper.”
Piper…?
My eyes widen. “Like Piper from the hospital? My husband Oliver and I were there with Milo when he was little. I think we met in the waiting room. I’m Charlie.”
Surprise flickers across her face. She gestures behind her to the little girl. Milo notices and looks around the woman’s body to get a better look. “That’s right. Ainsley and I were there with her father Daniel. Wow. And this is Milo? You guys go here now?”
Milo walks over to the little girl, causing her to look up. “It’s his first day. His little sister has attended since pre-k, but he attended a different institution.”
Piper notices Milo talking to the little girl, and her face pales a little. “Ainsley doesn’t talk. I should—” She stops talking when she sees Milo begin signing to her, which makes Ainsley’s eyes brighten as she quickly responds with her hands.
My heart warms at the sight of them communicating, something he worried himself sick about since we agreed to transfer him.
“She never…” Piper clears her throat. “I don’t think anyone outside my family knows sign language. Nobody speaks to her that way.”
I’m not sure what makes me do it, but I reach out and squeeze her hand. She smiles at me gratefully. “We taught Milo after he got the implants that way he had a different way to communicate if talking made him too uncomfortable. He can do both, but we wanted the option there.”
Piper’s smile is filled with emotion. “I know Ainsley will appreciate it. Sometimes I worry about her. It’s hard making friends when she’s….”
I don’t ask what her condition is. I vaguely remember hearing her talk for a microsecond in the surgical waiting room. Whatever happened since is none of my business.
But I know her pain well. I’ve worried the same about Milo but can easily see neither of us should focus on that concern. I let go of her hand when the secretary passes me a few forms to read over and sign.
“How old is he?” she asks.
“Seven.”
Her eyes peek back at them. “Ainsley can show him where to go if you’d like. She’s been here her whole life.”
I’m about to tell her that Milo is set on finding it himself when he walks over and tugs on the hem of my shirt. “Can Ainsley take me to the classroom?”
“Of course.” I smile at Piper, who looks awestruck as Ainsley walks over and signs something to her rapidly. I try not to eavesdrop, so I fix Milo’s hair and then squeeze his shoulders. “I hope you have a great first day.”
He hesitates, then signs, I will. Thank you.
Piper and I watch them leave the office, still signing back and forth. When they’re out of view, I lean against the counter and let out a heavy sigh.
“They grow up fast, huh?” she asks.
“Too fast,” I murmur.
“Hey.” She pauses. “It’d be nice to have more friends. If you ever need anything…”
I take advantage of the opportunity and pull out a business card Ollie had made for me that has my cell listed. “Same goes for you. My cell and email are both listed. Who knows? Maybe our kids will become good friends.”
I can tell by the way her green eyes lighten that she wants the same thing. It’s strange to me how so many years of battles and hardships can somehow feel like nothing when opportunities like this present themselves.
Milo and Aria are at the same school.
I have a business I’m proud of.
Ollie loves his job.
And we’re happy.
Honest to God happy.
Also by B. Celeste
The Truth about Heartbreak
The Truth about Tomorrow
Underneath the Sycamore Tree
About the Author
B. Celeste’s obsession with all things forbidden and taboo enabled her to pave a path into a new world of raw, real, emotional romance.
Her debut novel is The Truth about Heartbreak.
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