What a turn my day took, I’d arrived back from my lunch all ready to make the most of my life. I was ready to get to work on the house, I was ready to sort things out with Derek, and it sounded like I would be able to point him in the right direction for custody.

But what turned out to be our roughest meeting yet out there in the rain had left me stunned. I certainly wouldn't be going over to his house as arranged tonight. I even steered clear of the front of the house avoiding looking over to his and ignoring the mess he’d left outside my front door.

Maybe it would be best if he was moving away. We weren’t right for each other, too different, wanted different things. Too hot, clashing when things got heated. And he should be with Kadee if that was what he wanted, and really there was no question about where he stood on that. Though I still couldn't quite shake the gnawing feeling that I wanted him to despite the way we argued.

Needing some outlet for my pent up rage, I went about demolishing the drywall in the back bedroom that needed replacing. I wouldn’t be replacing it completely today but whatever, I needed to be doing something. What better than doing something destructive? I worked for hours, fairly pleased with my productivity, the anger slowly draining out of me.

I stood back and even allowed myself a moment of hope as I imagined the improvement to the room and considered colors for the new wall.

With my arms tired and the evening drawing in, I retrieved what food I could snack on from the dilapidated kitchen and a tub of ice cream then retreated to my bed with my laptop for some comfort TV. Though the shows did little to distract me from the thoughts of Derek and the little girl I’d become so fond of. Somehow though, I’d managed to drift off to sleep. But that wasn’t much comfort, what with Derek making appearances in my dreams.

Morning arrived with a chorus of bird noises accompanied by a clattering from downstairs. The sun was barely up and the world outside seemed peaceful and yet there was that noise again. Coming from inside my house. I listened carefully incase I’d just dreamt it, but no, sure enough there it was again the unmistakable sound of things being moved in the kitchen below.

The sudden panic and realization that someone was in the house made me sit bolt upright in bed. Adrenaline rushed through my body, growing intense, as I thought about what I would do with an intruder prowling my house. My phone was regrettably downstairs, but I had to do something. I couldn’t just stay in bed, hiding.

Steeling myself I crept to the landing to listen. The house was quiet again. I grabbed up my discarded hammer from the back bedroom and edged my way down step by step, carefully avoiding the loose creaky boards I’d come to know. Peering over the banister, my heart jolted as I saw who it was.

“Kadee! What are you doing here?” I exclaimed with shock as well as complete relief when I spotted her in the kitchen doorway.

“Morning, Georgie,” she called out in her typically charming manner.

“Where’s your dad, Kadee? You shouldn't be here, should you?”

“He’s asleep. He promised I could see you today.”

“Okay, but you shouldn't go out on your own,” I said trying to decipher Kadee’s explanation. His promise surely hadn't involved Kadee alone in my house at this time of the morning.

“Can we make pancakes for him? It will be nice. I think my daddy is sad,” she said, clutching a bottle of syrup she must have brought with her.

I wasn’t ready for the swell of emotion this triggered. Why was he sad? Was it because of me and my stupid outburst, that I was starting to regret? I couldn’t believe this little girl had gone out of her way in the obvious hope of mending things. Maybe it wouldn't hurt, the idea of her waking up her father with pancakes would be great. Derek obviously had a lot on his plate and it seemed to be affecting Kadee now too. I could put aside my disappointment with him for just a moment, what mattered now was this helpless darling girl before me.

“Okay, I think I have the stuff. But we have to quick so I can take you straight home. He’ll worry if he knows your gone. He’s still asleep you say?”

“Uh huh,” Kadee nodded confidently, “still snoring.”

I was quickly wrapped up in the delight of Kadee’s company as we set to work. She giggled at the mess I made as we rushed the mixture, then laughed even more as I promptly dabbed a little bit of mixture on her nose. When we were plating up the batch she quietened and threw her arms around my legs tightly. Was she crying?

“Hey Kadee, come now. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she replied unable to look at me.

“Don’t worry he won’t be mad, but we better be quick. Are you ready to take these back to your dad?”

She nodded, wiping her face. As we made our way out of the back door we could already hear the yells from across the street. My heart sank. We hadn’t been quick enough.

“Kadee! Kadee!” It was Derek and he sounded frayed with panic.

I gripped Kadee’s hand firmly and increased our pace. “Come on.”

We rounded the house into view to see Derek venturing across the street. The look of relief immediate on his face, his tense shoulders slumped and he was rushing toward us in his bare foot disarray.

“Kadee, you can’t do that. I was terrified.”

“We made pancakes. I wanted to surprise you.”

“Well thank you honey, but never go off like that again,” he implored, hugging her.

“I’m so sorry, she just turned up. Then wanted to make pancakes… I thought it would be okay. I was bringing her back, she was safe with me I hope you know,” I said, rambling with sudden guilt at the obvious distress I’d caused.

“It’s okay, thank you. I’m glad she’s safe. Pancakes huh?”

The panic in his voice had dwindled but he now sounded distant, he never once looked up as he spoke. His manner produced a heavy sinking feeling of sadness in the pit of my stomach that I wanted to flee from.

“Yeah,” I hesitated, suddenly aware of the slight absurdity of the three of us stood in the middle of the street in our pajamas with a plate of pancakes.

All I wanted to do now was escape the awkwardness of the moment, Kadee was safe. I felt like a complete outsider imposing on them. I handed over the pancakes, there was no way to avoid this with Kadee watching.

“Aren’t you joining us, Georgie? Please,” Kadee asked sweetly grabbing for my hand.

I withdrew my hand more abruptly than I had planned to Kadee’s dismay. The bright smile on her face faded as I tried to settle my emotions. But I had to remember they weren’t mine. They weren’t my family. And I couldn’t get attached any more, not when they would both probably be gone soon enough.

“Not this morning Kadee. I have to get dressed, lots to do. You go enjoy them with your dad,” I said with a feigned smile.

“But—”

“Come on, Kadee. You’re not even wearing shoes. Let’s get you inside.” Derek nodded to me in what I presumed was approval, or was it farewell? Either way it was clear he didn’t want me spending the morning with them. I responded to Kadee’s enthusiastic wave, half-heartedly raising my hand, then turned to walk back home, my heart breaking with each step I took away from them.