The sun was shining brightly, casting golden rays across the lush meadow. Birds chirped merrily in the trees as a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers through the air. A little girl, no older than five, skipped along the path, her laughter echoing as she held her mother’s hand, the two of them enjoying the perfect afternoon together. They had just returned from the market, where they’d bought fresh fruit, and the picnic basket was full of treats. The world seemed so full of possibility, so simple and good.
The girl looked up at her mother with wide, innocent eyes, asking about the cloud shapes in the sky. Her mother smiled down at her, pointing out the fluffy patterns, explaining how the sky was full of dreams and stories, just waiting to be noticed. They stopped by the old oak tree in the meadow, and the girl sat beneath it, letting the soft grass tickle her legs as her mother unpacked the basket.
As the two of them ate, a soft laughter echoed around them — it was the kind of laughter that makes you feel warm inside. It was as if everything in the world was aligned perfectly for this moment. The birds seemed to sing a little louder, the breeze a little gentler. Time itself seemed to slow as they sat together, basking in the beauty of the day.
The sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows, and the golden light turned a soft, amber hue. The mother gently brushed a lock of hair from the girl’s face, smiling lovingly at her. As the girl finished her last bite of fruit, she looked up and said, “I’m so happy, Mommy. It’s the best day ever.”
Her mother nodded, her own eyes filled with warmth. “Me too, sweetheart. I’m so glad you’re here.”
As they packed up the basket to leave, the little girl noticed something strange — the trees in the distance seemed to sway in unnatural patterns, as though they were alive, watching. But she didn’t say anything, instead letting her mother hold her hand as they walked back along the path, the sunset casting eerie shadows all around.
And then, just as they reached the edge of the meadow, the girl asked softly, “Mom, where’s Daddy?”
Her mother smiled, but her voice trembled slightly. “He’ll be home soon, darling. He always comes home.”
The girl stopped walking for a moment, a confused expression crossing her face as she glanced at her mother. “But… where’s his face, Mommy?” she asked, pointing to her mother’s chest.
The mother’s smile froze, her eyes widening for the briefest moment.
“Don’t worry, darling,” she whispered, the words barely audible, “he’s right here.”