I Left Home to Buy a Toy for My Daughter’s Birthday – I Came Home to Silence and a Note That Changed Everything

—J.

The next morning, Evie stirred against me, her curls tangled, her stuffed duck tucked under her chin. I hadn’t slept much. I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. I wanted to be angry at Jess—but I didn’t know how.

Instead, I felt like I’d failed everyone.

“Where’s Mommy?” Evie asked sleepily.

“She had to go somewhere,” I said softly. “But I’m right here.”

She didn’t reply—just pressed her cheek against my chest.

Later, I sat on the edge of the bed and removed my prosthetic. My stump throbbed, skin red and tender. I reached for the ointment.

Evie climbed up beside me.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“A little.”

“Do you want me to blow on it?” she offered. “Mommy does that for me.”

“Yeah,” I said with a small smile. “That’d help.”

She placed her stuffed duck next to my leg like it needed comfort too, then curled into me, fitting exactly where she always had.

We stayed like that for a while.