405 It’s All Ruined

(Winona)

I’m in the kitchen, ladling the creamy chicken casserole into a dish of rice. It smells amazing. Jayden always loved this recipe. It feels like forever since we’ve had dinner with just the two of us.

Soft, calming music flows through my headphones, and a gentle, soothing voice reminds me to breathe. Inhale peace, exhale stress. My heartbeat follows the rhythm, easing into a steady calm. Everything is as it should be.

Dinner is ready, and Jayden will be landed, I think. It’s only a fifteen-minute drive from the city. We’ll finally have our time to reconnect, to talk, to share news that I’ve been holding onto with cautious hope.

Lisa called and I talked to the kids who were having so much fun. I told them they could have a later night as long as their chores and study got done tomorrow.

They all had a stuffed animal each and sticky faces from cotton candy. I’m not sure they’ll sleep at all from the sugar rush. But it’s fine this once. I’m so excited about telling Jayden my news