Every evening, I would watch this little girl from my window. She was always there, a small, petite figure no older than five standing by the window, her tiny hand waving at me. Her eyes, fixed on mine, held an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. Who was she? What did she want from me?
A little girl waving her hand from a window | Source: Midjourney
I turned to my wife, Sandy, who was curled up on the couch with a book. “Babe, she’s there again. The girl I told you about.”
Sandy looked up, her brow furrowed. “The one who’s always waving at you?”
A woman reading a book | Source: Midjourney
Sandy set her book aside and joined me at the window. “Oh, Arnie,” she said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe she’s just a lonely kid. Have you tried waving back?”
I shook my head, my eyes still fixed on the little figure across the street. “No, I can’t explain it, Sandy. It feels like more than that. Like she’s calling out to me.
Sandy’s grip on my shoulder tightened. “Honey, you’re scaring me a little. It’s just a kid waving. Don’t read too much into it, okay?”
I tore my gaze away from the window and forced a smile. “You’re right. I’m probably just overthinking things.”
My wife divorced her ex-husband 15 years ago after he cheated. We’ve been married for a decade, and she has three adult daughters.
Lily welcomed me immediately. Although we don’t have much in common, she’s always been friendly and has pitched in when anyone in the family was unwell.
The other two daughters never warmed up to me. Despite my efforts, they continually held me up against their dad—comparing jobs, homes, and appearances. Nevertheless, I supported their education, which I believed was enough.
Usually, we see each other on holidays, but yesterday both girls called me out of the blue.
Them: “Jack, we decided to have a double wedding. We want you to pay for it.”
Me: “Why me?”
Them: “Well…you paid for Lily’s.”
Me: “What about your dad?”
Them: “He said it’s too expensive for him.”
I was amazed they would ask such a favor. An idea came to me for how to respond.