Homemaker Husband

Lake I looked up from my writing, stared out at the sea, and rubbed my face and sighed. It had been eight months since I was released from prison. I often visited the lake where I used to come and practice violin.

I felt something at my legs. When I looked down to see, it was my little girl, Mhiya, who was born while I was in prison. She looked up at me with concern.

"Don't be worried. Daddy is a little sad. But he's happy, too," I told her with a smile and scratched her little head. "Because I've got you, and you know what?" I asked her.

She shook her head. I picked her up, swooped her into the air, and then smiled at her. She giggled.

"You're magic. And you're cool."

She smirked, looking thoughtful.

I set her down on the bench next to me. Peggy came to us from the water. She smiled widely.

"What is so funny that you two are talking about?"

"Peggy, I was telling Mhiya how wonderful this last week has been for me."

I waited a moment for a response and then hurried on.

"But it's been a long, long moment. And I can't expect you to... I don't expect it to be what it was before. For us to have...but maybe, if we go slowly, and you...you can..."

Peggy grew more and more anxious as I spoke.