Lorraine beamed. "That's great! I'm pretty good at planning trips, so feel free to ask for help whenever you need it."
I glanced at her gratefully. "Thanks. I'll definitely reach out when the time comes."
On the way to drop Lorraine off, we talked about all kinds of things. I realized that being with Lorraine always helped me relax—like I could finally let go of all the stress that usually weighed me down.
…
The next morning was a Saturday, and I decided to start the day by making a big breakfast.
Jonas asked between bites, "Daddy, where are we going today?"
I smiled and ruffled his hair. "How about Mecca Park?"
Jonas's eyes lit up. "Awesome! Can I bring my sketchbook?"
"Of course," I said. "By the way, Ms. Sommerton mentioned she could teach you some drawing techniques sometime."
Jonas perked up at the mention of Lorraine. "Really? Ms. Sommerton is so nice!"
At the park, Jonas immediately pulled out his sketchbook and started drawing. While sitting on a nearby bench watching him, I thought about what Lorraine had said yesterday.
Maybe I really did need to spend more time with Jonas. Work was important, but his childhood was fleeting. Determined to make a change, I pulled out my phone and started researching family-friendly vacation spots.
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