Chapter 6 - The Braid that Leaned
At 3:15 PM, the rain over Chicago finally broke.
Golden rays of afternoon sunlight burst through the scattering clouds, reflecting off the wet pavement outside Hawthorne Elementary School.
Ethan’s Subaru pulled smoothly into the pickup lane. He turned off the engine, stepped out of the car, and leaned against the driver's door, wearing his navy jacket, breathing in the crisp, clean air.
The heavy double doors of the school opened, and a sea of children flooded out onto the sidewalk, laughing, yelling, and hoisting heavy backpacks onto their shoulders.
Eight-year-old Lily spotted the Subaru instantly.
She trotted down the concrete steps, her purple backpack bouncing against her spine, her blond braid dangling wildly over her left ear.
"Dad!" she called out, sprinting over and throwing her arms around his waist.
Ethan scooped her up into a big hug, spinning her around once before setting her down. "Hey, bug. How was the math quiz?"
"I got an A-minus!" Lily announced proudly, holding up three fingers. "I only missed the question about fractions because fractions are an evil invention designed to ruin my life."
"Fractions are tricky," Ethan laughed, opening the car door for her. "I'll draw you a spreadsheet tonight."
"No spreadsheets!" Lily groaned dramatically, climbing into her booster seat.
She stopped and looked at him, her sharp blue eyes taking in his face, his calm smile, and the subtle light that seemed to fill his eyes—a light she hadn't seen in a very long time.
"Did you have a good day at work, Dad?" Lily asked softly, buckling her seatbelt.
Ethan looked back at the city skyline in the distance, where the glass tower of Lakeview Data Systems glinted in the afternoon sun. He thought about Nina's bright smile, Claire's unyielding loyalty, and the thirty-six ordinary people whose jobs were safe again.
Then he reached out and gently straightened the braid over Lily's shoulder.
"I had a great day, Lily," Ethan smiled, closing her car door and walking around to the driver's side. "I fixed a very big leak."
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"Was it in the plumbing?" Lily asked as he climbed in beside her.
"No," Ethan smiled, starting the engine and pulling out into the warm afternoon traffic. "It was in the foundation. But it's solid now."
