Allan emerged from his shower and donned cold-weather attire, a heavy coat and a beanie, then prepared a backpack with change of clothes and hygiene products to take to the base where he worked.
Returning to the living room, he placed the backpack on the couch, glanced over, and watched his daughter gazing out the window, hands propped under her chin.
Judy - It stopped snowing!
Allan - It'll start again later, you know that.
He moved to the kitchen, which was combined with the living room, and began heating his mug of hot chocolate.
Allan - Amazing how no matter when I wake up, early or late, I always seem to end up running late.
The little girl didn't hear, so engrossed was she in watching the neighbor across the street shoveling snow from his walkway.
Allan shook his head and smiled, knowing sometimes his daughter was lost in her own world of imagination. The microwave beeped, he took out the mug and began blowing on it, sipping the still-hot chocolate.
Allan - Come on, get your backpack and lunchbox!
The girl hopped down from the window, slung her little backpack over her shoulders, and grabbed her lunchbox. Allan picked up his own backpack and opened the door; Judy dashed to the garage, opened the car door and climbed in.
The father finished his hot chocolate and grabbed a shovel to clear the excess snow to make way for the car, then he got in.
Allan - No, no! Sit in your booster seat.
Judy - But I wanted to sit in the front!
Allan - You can't, you know that. Get back there, now!
She complied, and Allan helped her into her seatbelt. He was about to start the car when his daughter's sudden outburst caught him off guard.
Judy - I really wish I had a mom!
He looked at her through the rearview mirror, her eyes glossy, a blink sending tears spilling unwillingly down her cheeks.
Allan - What did you say, honey?
He kept looking at her in the mirror, but the little girl wiped her face and leaned sadly against the car window.
Judy - All my friends have one; their moms pick them up from school.
He swallowed hard.
Allan - But you have one too, we've talked about this.
Judy - Why did she have to become a star and live in the sky, daddy?
Once more, the question caught him off guard, wrenching forth tears laden with pain. Silence filled the car until Allan started it and reversed, heading towards the school.
Throughout the drive, neither spoke further on the subject. Allan turned on the car's radio to his daughter's favorite song, which brightened her mood. She began singing the lyrics.
Allan - My own little singer!
She smiled and continued, singing with a smile, Allan joined in, singing with his daughter. They arrived at school in good spirits; he walked her to the classroom door.
Teacher - Good morning, princess!
She exclaimed cheerfully, arms outstretched in greeting to Judy, as well as the other students.
Allan - Good morning!
Teacher - Good day! I'd like to talk with you later, Allan.
He frowned, puzzled.
Allan - Can you tell me what it's about, Helen?
Helen - I've been noticing some behavior with her, and...
A pause lingered between them; Allan glanced into the classroom, watching his daughter building a block tower with two classmates.
Allan - Okay, I'll try to leave earlier this week.
She smiled understandingly, and Allan waved goodbye to his daughter.
Allan - Have a good day!
Helen - You too!
He walked back down the long corridor past the classrooms, towards the exit. Helen's gaze lingered until disrupted by another arriving child.
Helen - Hi, good morning... high five!
Child - Hello, Miss Helen!
Helen had been best friends with Sara, Allan's wife, since college and had worked together in the same school until the tragic accident that year that claimed Sara's life. It was clear Helen harbored feelings for Allan, but so far, they were not reciprocated.
Back in the car, Allan rested his face on the steering wheel, pondering his daughter's words.
Allan - She misses having a mother!
He contemplated the idea of dating women and setting up dates, as it had been years since he was in a serious relationship, his social life limited to occasional nights out to destress.
His mind was in turmoil, so he tried to push aside thoughts that led back to the day of the accident, started the car and headed to the coast guard base. Upon arrival, he parked, shouldered his backpack, and entered the base, immediately followed by Michael.
Allan - I know, I'm late.
Michael - Good to know you're aware! (laughs)
They headed to the locker room, where Allan dropped his pack on the long wooden bench and opened his locker to get his orange jumpsuit.
Allan - We have to cover the western sea area today.
Michael - Do you think the couple is still alive? They've been missing for four days.
Allan - They're on a boat, right? It should be easier to find.
Michael - The commander is about to call off the search.
Allan - No, absolutely not!
Michael - Why do you have to be such a maverick?
They both smiled.
Michael - That must be why you're the best on the team, I guess I just need more enthusiasm.
Allan pulled the jumpsuit up halfway and put on a long-sleeved black shirt.
Allan - You know what your problem is?
His friend raised his eyebrows, awaiting the conclusion.
Allan - You're too pessimistic, my friend!
He patted his shoulder and walked towards the door, stopping to look back.
Allan - A little positivity wouldn't hurt! (laughs)
Michael grimaced and followed his friend to the control and map room, looking at the screen that showed an area near an island that hadn't been searched yet.
Allan - I've got it!
The guards in the room looked at him, puzzled.
Allan - On the double, I want my team ready in five.
Afterwards, he geared up with the rescue team and they boarded a helicopter for another day of searching for the missing couple.
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