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her car seatand take the slow, leisurely drive to the park, not far from my grandmother’s place. When we arrive, I help Ari out the car and she darts for the swings. I grab the cooler bag with the sandwiches and sodas and lay a blanket down under a Willow tree, close enough for me to watch her. A light breeze blows, catching my hair and flicking it wildly. It cools my heated skin and I welcome the reprieve.
    “Mommy, push me!” Ari yells. I see then that she’s too short to hop on by herself and needs my help.
    “Okay, baby, mommy’s coming,” I reply, smiling at her impatience. Another star quality she inherited from me. I slip my sandals off and walk over to where she’s standing, shifting with excitement. I laugh when she waves her arms in the air, signaling for me to lift her up, and gently place her on the swing.
    “Hold on tight,” I tell her.
    I push the swing, and watch her climb higher with each shove.
    “Higher, mommy, higher!” she squeals. Her child-like laughter echoes around us and mixes with the light summer breeze. I nudge the swing a little higher and step in front of Ari.
    “Jump,” I say. “I’ll catch you.”
    I spread my arms out and brace myself to catch her.
    “Mommy , me afwaid,” Ari hesitates.
    “I’m right here, baby girl, I’ll never let anything happen to you. I promise.”
    Her eyes widen and she watches me, the swing moving back and forth. Scooting forward, Ari lets go and throws her body into the air. She lands safely in my arms and I drop to the ground playfully, pretending that the force of her jump knocked me over. She laughs loudly and I join her as we roll around on the ground. I don’t care that my dress is going to get dirty or that my hair will be full of grass. All that matters is the little girl laughing in my arms. Her brown eyes, so much wiser than her years, look up at me and I freeze the moment, storing it in my mental memory box so that on the days I doubt myself, I can watch it over and over again. How can such a small person be such a profound source of strength? It’s unfathomable. That this little girl, born of my flesh and my blood, can love so freely and openly. I see no judgment in her eyes, no hate or anger. Just love and innocence and kindness in the purest form. I squeeze her to me and her arms wrap around my waist.
    “I love you, my precious Ari,” I breathe into her hair.
    “I wuvyou, mommy.” Her sweet voice comes as a whisper, and it tugs at my heartstrings. I lay a gentle kiss on her forehead.
    Ari sits up. “Macy!” she yells, jumping to her feet and running to her friend. I spot Macy’s mother strolling in our direction and stand up, making my way towards her and the girls, who have already started playing.
    “Macy, sweetheart, don’t go far. Stay where mamma can see you.” Macy’s mother looks at the girls and then back at me. I give her a small smile and to my surprise she returns it.
    “I wanted to apologize, I was rude earlier and I shouldn’t have been,” she says, embarrassed. “My momma would turn in her grave if she ever heard me talking to a stranger like that.”
    “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have been listening to your conversation, but I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
    “I’m not, but I will be,” she replies. “I’m Taylor,” her hand comes out and I shake it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    “Hayley,” I reply. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
    “Looks like our girls have gone and become friends,” she remarks, chuckling. I watch in amusement as Ari talks Macy’s ear off, while Macy sits quietly, content, and listens.
    “Yeah,” I giggle. “Would you like to have something to eat? I packed a picnic for me and Ari.”
    “Oh no, I don’t want to intrude.”
    “Please,” I insist. “I packed too much food for just us anyway and I’m happy to let the girls play for a while.”
    Taylor looks down at her watch before saying, “I have another two hours before my next shift, so I guess