Chapter 12 - THE DAUGHTER WHO CHOSE ME
Sofia adored Rosie's Diner.
She loved the pancakes.
The jukebox.
The red vinyl booths.
And Rosa's terrible jokes.
She also loved my mother.
Whenever she visited, she brought drawings.
Flowers.
Little handmade cards.
One afternoon, Sofia sat beside me at the counter.
“Emily?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do you like my daddy?”
I nearly dropped a plate.
“What?”
She smiled.
“Do you?”
I glanced toward Alessandro.
He was speaking with Rosa near the kitchen.
I looked back at Sofia.
“Your daddy is a complicated man.”
She nodded seriously.
“I know.”
I laughed.
She leaned closer.
“But he's nicer now.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
She considered that.
Then whispered:
“He smiles when you come into the room.”
My cheeks warmed.
Sofia grinned.
“And he never smiled before.”
I looked toward Alessandro.
He turned.
May you like
Our eyes met.
And he smiled.
