The Long Drive
He hopped into his car with the medicine in hand, alarmed that his infant daughter was sick. The evening traffic had cleared up a bit, and he could hurry to his ex's house.
He got in to find her lulling the baby. Her face was drenched in worry, and she managed a smile when he entered the house. But as he stored the medicine, he saw something that broke his heart.
Meeting The One
Dylan and Maisie got married right after college. The two, both law students, fell in love while they were still in school.
For the longest time, Dylan was convinced that Maisie was the one for him. They had so much in common, and as the years went by, Dylan knew Maisie was meant to be in his life forever.
Happiness
Dylan and Maisie dated for three years before Dylan got on one knee and proposed to her. They were happy then, and soon enough, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their lives.
The young couple named the baby Zawadi, a gift that promised the two would always be in each other's lives. For Dylan, his daughter was more than a gift. She was his sun and moon.
The End Of An Era
The couple knew happiness for some months after little Zawadi was born. But then trouble came knocking. Although both Dylan and Maisie went to law school, only Maisie was able to make a career out of her degree.
Dylan had followed a different path, choosing to be a musician instead. The change had been abrupt, sending tremors through their once solid relationship.
Consequences
Dylan and Maisie's relationship deteriorated after Dylan decided to pursue his dream. Maisie reminded him they had a kid, and he couldn't be making such selfish decisions now. But Dylan was adamant.
Their arguments lasted for a year, with Dylan asking Maisie to believe in him and Maisie reminding him all their financial responsibilities were solely on her shoulders now. Then the worst happened.
Ant Hills And Mountains
The couple's arguments grew into raging fights over minor things in their home. The once-powerful romantic flame between them died utterly.
One night, the couple sat down to talk. Even though there was still love between them, it was no longer the same love that made them exchange vows at the altar. They agreed to get a divorce.
Heartbroken
Heartbroken, Dylan and Maisie got a divorce. But they still kept talking because, despite everything they'd gone through, there was still friendship between them.
The two also had little Zawadi to think of, and although Dylan didn't openly admit it, he was glad that their daughter was an everlasting bridge between him and Maisie. He didn't know how much their daughter would do for their relationship.
The Call That Started It All
One evening, Dylan got a call from Maisie. She informed him that Zawadi had come down with a nasty headache, and she needed him to bring some medicine.
Since their divorce, Maisie worked full-time while also taking care of Zawadi by herself. She'd also acquired a car which she was in the middle of paying off. Although Dylan was more than proud of her, he knew the amount of pressure on her shoulders.
She Needs Me
Knowing Maisie needed his help, Dylan hopped into his car and hurried to the store before driving to her place. He respected Maisie for all she'd accomplished and how good she was with Zawadi.
He would do anything to help her raise their daughter. He pulled up into her driveway with the medicine in hand, ready to see her and their daughter.
Reaching Her House
The air inside Maisie's house was warm, her living room filled with coos from little Zawadi. Dylan rushed in, hugging Maisie, who was lulling Zawadi in her arms.
"How is she?" he asked. "Burning up," Maisie answered. "Did you get the medicine?" Dylan nodded, informing Maisie he would keep it above her fridge where she could easily access it. He didn't know what was waiting for him there.
The Kitchen
Dylan rushed into the kitchen, popping some of the medicine from the pack so he could take it to Maisie.
He placed the rest on the fridge then grabbed a small cup to take water with the medication. With the cup in hand, he opened the fridge to fetch some water, and that's when he saw it.
He Sees It
When Dylan pulled open Maisie's fridge, he hadn't expected to find what he did. Two bottles of water stood before him, one almost empty and the other half-full.
The rest of the fridge was empty. Dylan's heart broke at that moment, and he wondered why Maisie hadn't told him she'd needed help in her place. But what could he do when they were no longer together?
A Proud Woman
Dylan could understand why Maisie kept this from him. She'd always been a proud woman who'd gotten as far as she was in life with no one's help. Even though Dylan was constantly proud of her, he wished she’d have told him about this.
His eyes brushed the kitchen pantry, and he noticed the shelves were stacked with baby formula, snacks, and all the fruits Zawadi needed. Dylan smiled but knew he still had to do something about Maisie’s situation.
A Quick Run
Dylan hurried the medicine and water to Maisie and told her he needed to handle some things in town. Would she be around later so he could spend some time with Zawadi?
When Maisie nodded, he hurried into a grocery store in town and bought groceries that would last Maisie weeks. He couldn't bear the thought of her struggling while he was around to help.
A Gift For A Gift
Dylan took a trunk full of groceries back to Maisie's. Although she refused to accept it at first, she eventually did, a smile blooming across her face as she hugged him.
Dylan explained that although he and Maisie were no longer together, she was still Zawadi's mom, which meant the world to him. Without her, he wouldn't have the best gift life could give a person.