How safe.
How normal.
That morning, I was supposed to take her to daycare like I always did, but my office moved an important meeting earlier at the last minute.
Before I could panic, my husband grabbed his keys from the counter.
“I’ll take her,” Mark said casually. “It’s on my way.”
“You sure?”
“Emily, it’s daycare drop-off. Not brain surgery.”
Ava lifted Mr. Bun-Bun proudly.
“Daddy can do it!”
I kissed the top of her head.
“I’ll pick you up later, okay?”
“Can we get nuggets after?”
“You already know the answer.”
“Yessss!”
That was the last normal conversation I ever had with my daughter.