self in. Her mother's cozy craftsman bungalow looked the same as always, full of afternoon light filtering through sh

er jacket on the rack by the door. She paused to scratch behind Maisie's v

eart!" Claire re

with our chicken. Go relax and I'll bring

hich was dominated by the antique sewing table she and

case hems, a half-finished winter coat with rainbow buttons, the be

Claire had sacrificed over the years as a single mother - long hours running her t

converting their garage to a rudimentary studio space, attending every school art show and play. Just li

re, don't you girl?" she murmured. Maisie thumped her tail in response. At nearly 10 years old now, the goldie showed glints of white

lacing two wine glasses down before pulling Eva into an embrace. As always, she smelle

gs with the auto startup interested in her fashion line to funny custo

obile company would take an interest in

a bit of chicken to sneak t

nows, maybe they want to use cutting edge textiles in car interi

ney, just think what you could create with p

she rose spontaneously, pulling her mother up into an impromptu dance around the living room. They spun and dipped dramatically i

r, fueled by a second glass of wine when Eva's gaze suddenly landed on s

ediately - it was from the father who

the years, though she eventually stopped reading them, tired of hoping for

's gaze and her expression s

From your father again. I wasn't sure

r head, wavi

have to explain. I don

h one of the magazines

I know it still hurts, sweetie. But don't lose f

tightly, dropp

he man who had left a hole in both their lives. There was

onfessing more about her birthday party last week, possi

but I swear the night attracted the mos

me to produce another suit for him, he uses the opportunity as an

a moment on Eva's behalf. T

gh drama, when we finally decided to go home, some enti

n irritation. Maisie didn't even hesita

n't that right, girl?" Eva cooed. The

. "Oh my baby,I wish the world could see how talented and brilliant you

ive her a fierce hug, blinking back sudden tears, burying her face in her mothe

laughter at the smudge of chocolate

antly. Giving Maisie one more good belly rub and a pat on the

te pots de crème to go, she reminded her mom about their plans to

t air, looking back to see her mother framed in t