Chapter 20

"I'm sorry, baby, but it doesn't work like that." I sympathized dumbly, not knowing what else to tell her. "I may not be your mom, but that doesn't mean I don't love you, honey. And you know that you're always welcome at the store whenever you want." I cooed, gently wiping away the tears that had escaped her eyes and run down her chubby little cheeks. She just nodded sadly before burying her slightly snotty nose into the crook of my neck and wrapping her arms around my shoulders as best she could. We sat like that for a few minutes with me stroking the back of her head until I realized she'd fallen asleep - even with the hustle bustle of the store causing a racket around us. That nightmare probably kept her up all night I thought, knowing it was the only logical answer for her strong emotions not but a few minutes ago. I let her continue to sleep on my shoulder while I tried navigating my work with only one arm - something that proved to be quite the challenge. It was abou