We sat at the dining table after Lexie ensured the rodent wasn’t hiding beneath the table.
I watched Katie move smoothly around the kitchen, making tea and taking a pie out of the fridge.
“I never thought I’d have to fight a rat in my own home,” Katie said, a genuine smile breaking through.
“Yeah, well, we can add that to the list of things we never expected,” I replied, the tension of earlier entirely replaced by a newfound connection.
I watched how Katie protected Lexie — even if it was from a rat. And I realized everything was okay. Katie would keep my child safe when I wasn’t around.
The afternoon unfolded with us sitting at the table, sipping tea, and sharing stories about our childhood fears. I figured it was essential for Lexie to see that despite everything, Katie and I were on good terms. That Lexie could have a stable family life even though her Dad and I were no longer together.
I was grateful that I had kept my cool when I walked into Noah and Katie’s house. Admittedly, Lexie’s scream had elicited a highly maternal reaction from me, and I would have lashed out at Katie had I not taken a moment to see the situation for what it was — a funny encounter.
