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Dani was folded up in her computer chair, face alight with the glow from her monitor. Turning, she took her headphones off.

"Mum, I need a carrycase for my sketch-book."

I opened the Amazon app. We debated the choices. Everything too expensive, or would take weeks to arrive.

Lloyd huffed. "I'll take her to buy one tomorrow. Got that Doodle? You'll have to actually the house."

Dani sighed, looking just like him. I could see her bite back the words, I don't want to. When he got an idea in his head...

She had more restraint than I did at fifteen. She's growing up.

I swallowed my response, too. She's left the house a lot the last week of the summer, wouldn't it just be easier... She did have a habit of rotting away indoors too much. "It's too people-y out there," she'd say, wrinkling her nose.

Dani nibbled at some of the takeaway we'd ordered for supper, and sloped off upstairs.

On Saturday morning, I made them coffee and toast.

"We'll go to Hobbycraft," Lloyd said. "She can stock up on art stuff. Then we'll get pizza." There wasn't a Hobbycraft locally, so he'd have to get on the motorway and go to the next town over. "Sure you won't come?"

"I've got to get this marking done."

On the doorstep I pointed at my cheek, indignant. Lloyd grinned and kissed me.

"See you later!"

I replay those moments over and over. When they were whole.

I want to squeeze her hand, but it has a canula in it. She's covered in wires, and has a tube in her throat.

I was here when she was born. She nearly arrived in the car park. I almost smile, remembering, and clap a hand over it, tears rolling. Oh she was so tiny in my arms.

Lloyd's mother is sitting by his bed, careful of his canula, her heart breaking. Wondering if he'll open his eyes. Seeing her baby in the strapping man in front of her.

If only we'd ordered the case.

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Edited to add author's note:

Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors note.)

Submitted on Friday 13th September

Author's Note

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 257 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January.

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

Here's a recent entry to the Unfiltered (stream of consciousness) challenge:

Here is a recent Top Story of mine:

My new Dollar Challenge! Please give it a look:

A recent Runner Up placement for one of my Wanky Poems:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!