Love's Changing Ways

Leo watched his dad’s car pull away, a tiny knot tightening in his tummy. Dad waved until the car was just a speck, then gone. The house felt suddenly too big, too quiet. Buster, usually a whirlwind of wagging tail and happy barks, nudged Leo’s hand with his wet nose, as if to say, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” Leo scratched Buster behind the ears, but the knot stayed. Dad was gone for a long, long time.

The days that followed were a blur of Sam’s boisterous laughter, Buster’s enthusiastic chases after thrown sticks, and Mom’s gentle reassurances. But even with his best friend and his faithful dog, Leo felt a piece of him was missing. He’d find himself staring at the front door, half-expecting to see Dad’s familiar smile. Mom tried her best, filling their evenings with games and stories, but Leo could see the faint lines of worry etched around her eyes when she thought he wasn’t looking. She missed Dad too.

Then, Mrs. Gable started coming over. At first, she just brought over a plate of cookies that smelled heavenly, warm and spiced with cinnamon. Leo remembered the first time he saw her. She had a laugh that bubbled up like fizzy lemonade, and her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. She told funny stories about her garden, about a squirrel that kept stealing her tomatoes, and Leo found himself giggling, even though he was still feeling a bit glum.