For the last six years, I’ve been raising my daughter, Izzy, all by myself. Hi there! I’m Naomi, and I teach history to middle schoolers in a peaceful suburban neighborhood. Izzy’s father slipped away from our lives when she was just a little one, leaving me to handle lesson plans, soccer practice, and a mountain of laundry all on my own. It was tough, but we pulled it off. I discovered the importance of depending on my own strength and appreciating the little joys—such as Izzy’s playful grin when she cracked a challenging puzzle or her adorable giggles in the early hours of the day.

Then Marcos arrived. He had just joined our school as the art instructor—a kind-hearted individual who carried the subtle scent of turpentine and well-loved books. His eyes were warm and crinkled with laughter, and he carried an effortless confidence that put me at ease. After a few warm conversations in the faculty lounge and a coffee date that lingered well into the evening, we started to meet up more often. He was the first person I’d let into our small world since Izzy’s dad walked out.

I couldn’t shake off the worry about how Izzy would take it. At nine years old, she was bright and inquisitive, always looking out for the two of us with a fierce sense of loyalty. As I softly brought up the suggestion of meeting a friend of mine, she gave me a cautious glance. “Is there another teacher?” she inquired, her tone laced with skepticism. “He’s not going to assign me extra homework, right?”

I chuckled, playfully tousling her curls. “I promise, no extra homework.” He could definitely show us something interesting.

The initial gathering took place at the nearby aquarium, a spot that Izzy absolutely loved. In just a few minutes, Marcos had her laughing as he mimicked the playful, bouncy movements of the seahorses. They connected over their shared interest in the octopus exhibit and walked away hand in hand, chatting about marine life as if they were old friends. As we parted ways, Izzy’s smile was real, and I could feel a sense of hope blossoming within me.

In the coming months, our weekends were filled with exciting adventures. A street fair where Marcos assisted Izzy in winning a plush toy, a rainy afternoon spent baking cookies in my cozy kitchen, a refreshing autumn hike by the river. Izzy felt at ease with him, and I found myself dreaming of a future where the three of us could be a family together.

One day, Marcos caught me off guard with an invitation: a weekend getaway to his family’s charming old cottage by the coast, a spot filled with his childhood summer memories. His parents still had it, even though they mostly lived in the city these days. He wanted us to experience the place where he had discovered his passion for painting landscapes, to hear the cries of the gulls and breathe in the salty air.

Izzy let out a joyful squeal at the idea of going to the beach. We loaded up our bags and hit the road bright and early on a Saturday morning, the car brimming with snacks and laughter. The cottage appeared from behind the tall dune grasses, its weathered shingles and bright blue shutters shining in the sunlight. Adela and Victor, Marcos’s parents, welcomed us with open arms, serving lemonade and sharing delightful tales of Marcos’s adventures as a child.

The inside of the cottage felt warm and inviting, with wooden floors and soft, worn nautical prints adorning the walls. “Let’s go,” Marcos said, grasping Izzy’s hand. “Come on, I’ll take you to see my old room.” He guided us up a tight staircase to a cozy attic tucked beneath the slanted eaves. The room had a subtle scent of cedar mixed with the fresh tang of salt air. Model ships sat on the shelves, and a trunk at the foot of the bed suggested the presence of childhood treasures.