ODETTE'S POINT OF VIEW
"Mommy!"
I turned just in time to see Dalle running across the school parking lot, backpack bouncing with each tiny step. His face lit up the moment our eyes met. The way his arms flailed as he ran, his sneakers squeaking with each stride—it was impossible not to smile.
He reached me breathless, throwing his arms around my waist in a tight hug, his small hands clinging to my hips as he buried his face into my blouse.
"I missed you," he mumbled against me.
I knelt down, brushing his hair from his forehead as he looked up, cheeks flushed and eyes shining.
"How was school?" I asked softly, smoothing the collar of his uniform.
"It's fine, Mommy! You know what?" he said, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "My friends said we're all going to play at the park later after class! We made a plan!"
