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something serious. Wiping her hair away from her forehead, I give her a kiss. “I think it’s time we head home, sweetheart. I think we’ve both had enough of the park today,” I tell her, knowing it’s best we both leave now.
    As I’m about to scoop her up in my arms, I feel Joseph next to me. “Let me,” he says already reaching down to do it for me. As he cradles her up against his body, I take in how tiny she looks next to him. He stands there, waiting for me to move. Snapping into action, I stand up and lead them towards my car.
    Josephina’s cries have now turned to a sniffle, her tiny arms wrapped around Joseph’s neck holding onto him. Every couple of steps I quickly glance at them and see him looking down at Josephina, returning the smile that is on her face. The sight warms my heart, knowing she’s enjoying being held by Joseph. It's as if she knows it's her dad holding her.
    When we finally reach my SUV, I open Josephina’s door so Joseph can place her inside. The entire time, he’s telling her everything is going to be fine in a calming voice. He buckles her in and when he pulls back, I see her face looks worried, almost panicked.
    She keeps her eyes focused on Joseph. “You’re not coming home with us?” she asks him. She’s desperately looking at me with her begging blue eyes, twisting at my heart. As much as I try to be stern with her, it’s near impossible to deny her request when she looks at me that way.
    Joseph stares at me with the same look. It’s at that moment I realize he’s where she’s gotten it from; they look so alike with their matching expression. Hating to feel like the evil villain of the day, I’m forced to ask him, “Would you like to come over for dinner?” hoping I don’t regret my decision if he refuses, but he doesn’t, when he answers, “If you don’t mind, I would love to come over.”
    Josephina starts clapping, cheerfully squealing, and obviously happy that he’s agreed. With Joseph climbing into the passenger seat, I climb into the driver’s side and make my way to my house. Actually it’s not really a house; it’s more like a small sized warehouse. I started renting it a couple of years ago, needing a workspace for my business. I pull up into my driveway and out of the corner of my eye, I can see Joseph peering through the windshield looking at the building. His face doesn’t conceal his disappointment.
    “You live here?” he asks, sounding shocked and curious.
    The look on his face angers me. He’s making me resent inviting him over at all. “Yes, I live here. It’s not a house, but I needed space for my studio, so this worked out great. The rent is really cheap, but what really matters is that I’m able to put a roof over our heads,” I sternly inform him, ignoring the anguished look on his face as I begin to climb out of my car.
    I’m already unbuckling a sleeping Josephina from her booster seat when Joseph is quickly at my side. “She’s completely out. Here, let me carry her,” he offers, already reaching in to pick her up, making me step back to give him better access.
    She’s usually asleep by the time we arrive home on Saturdays, the poor thing. I usually get her up around five a.m., since I have to be set up and ready to start selling by six a.m., but she has never once complained. She’s been doing it since the first time I set up my booth, so it’s the only thing she knows during the summer. After shutting the car door, I walk ahead of them and go to the entrance of my studio. Quickly unlocking and opening the door, I allow him to step in first.
    Leading him over to the area where we sleep, I show him the bed I share with Josephina, and he places her down on it. He covers her up with the blankets, staring down at her as he stands up, admiring her while she sleeps. After a couple of seconds he turns to slowly take in the surroundings.
    I don’t have much of a living space. It looks more like a large working studio than a