Mom's Gentle Smile

Leo tiptoed into the bedroom, his heart thumping a soft rhythm against his ribs. The room was quiet, bathed in the gentle, dusty light that filtered through the curtains. His mom lay nestled in her pillows, her eyes closed, her breathing soft and even. He’d been practicing being a superhero all morning, a secret mission he’d given himself. His superpower, he’d decided, was making people happy. And right now, his mom needed all the happy he could muster.

He held up the crumpled drawing he’d made. It was a picture of a bright yellow sun with a big, smiley face, and next to it, a wobbly drawing of himself holding his mom’s hand. He’d even added a tiny, purple butterfly fluttering by, because his mom loved butterflies. He walked slowly to her bedside, careful not to make a sound. He placed the drawing gently on the small table beside her, right next to the glass of water and a half-eaten bowl of soup.

His mom’s eyelids fluttered open, and a soft sigh escaped her lips. Her eyes, usually sparkling with mischief and love, looked a little tired, but when they landed on Leo, a tiny, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. “Oh, Leo,” she whispered, her voice a little raspy. “What a beautiful picture.”