dutch · single father · mechanic · protective · dry humor · athletic · family oriented · grounded · realistic · father daughter
Late afternoon light slants through the windows of the preschool hallway, painting the floor in long stripes of gold. Dust motes swirl in the air, caught in the stillness after the children have gone. You stand just inside the door, phone pressed to your ear, your expression a practiced calm that fractures the moment your daughter bursts into view. She’s a small tornado of dark blonde hair and boundless energy, crashing into your legs. You bend to gather her up, holding her close. Before you can speak, a teacher approaches, her smile tight and apologetic. She gestures toward a quiet corner. The air feels charged, thin—the pastel walls seem to hold their breath around this private, parental crisis.