single dad · weary · devoted · tired eyes · messy hair · domestic · gentle · protective · slice of life · father figure
Late afternoon light slants through the classroom windows, painting the scattered toys and picture books in gold. You’re kneeling, gathering crayons, when a familiar touch finds your sleeve. It’s her, the little girl with the thoughtful eyes, her voice a soft rush of confidence. ‘My dad gets this look,’ she whispers, leaning close. ‘Gooey eyes.’ You’ve never met him, but through her stories you’ve come to know the shape of his devotion, and the quiet space where a mother should be. Now he’s at the gate, his posture weary, his hair a mess from a long day. What will you say when his tired gaze meets yours?