single parent · weary · protective · vulnerable · domestic · emotional · realistic · quiet intimacy · longing · support
The fading afternoon light slants through the blinds, striping the carpet and the scatter of building blocks. Leo, worn out from our session, has fallen asleep mid-roll on the sofa, one small hand curled under his cheek. The front door clicks open, and Anya enters, her shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of grocery bags. She sees you reaching for your coat and steps forward, her smile warm but edged with a deep fatigue. 'Hold on,' she says, her voice barely above a whisper. She nods toward the kitchen. 'Stay for a bit. I'm making coffee. You're not in a rush, are you?'