“I’m just so tired,” she cried.

“I know,” he replied. “Shh. I got you.”

He had no idea how long it had been since she had heard those words. He held her for a good five minutes, and would have continued forever if the bathroom door hadn’t opened, interrupting their moment.

She pulled away, as if a spell had been broken and cleared her throat, as she frantically wiped at her eyes as another woman walked in. “I’m so sorry.” Her embarrassment was evident.

“Don’t be,” he said. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

She nodded and followed, as he led her out of the bathroom.

They climbed into Ethic’s truck and Bella was full of displeasure. “Daddy, you said it would be quick! We’re going to miss our movie,” she groaned.

“I’m sorry, baby girl,” Ethic said. He passed her his cell phone. “Look up the next show time. After we drop Alani off, maybe we can catch the next one.”

Bella was like a whiz kid when it came to electronics and she had checked the show time before Ethic even finished his sentence. “It’s in 20 minutes. There is a movie theater right up the street. Can we please, please just go to that one? It’s the last showing,” she said. Ethic found it amusing that Bella was suddenly championing for the kid flick, when just moments before, she had called it a baby movie. She just wanted Alani out of the car. His daughter was jealous that way. She didn’t like anyone to come and steal her father’s eye.

When Eazy piped up and joined in the debate, Ethic knew he had no wins. “Daddy, come on!”

He looked over at Alani. “What do you say? You got time to catch a flick?” he asked, with an apologetic smile.

Alani peered over her shoulder at Bella and Eazy, as a small smile spread over her face. It was a glimmer of sunshine, cutting through the dark clouds of her life. “Sure, why not?” she replied.

“Finally!” Bella exclaimed, full of pre-teen impatience.

“Yay!” Eazy added.

Ethic laughed, as he winked at Alani, making her smile spread East to West across her face.

“Alright, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, here we come,” Ethic announced. He was corny that way, when it came to his children. He tucked his gangster away, when in their presence, because they deserved more than that. They deserved the very best. Not many people got to witness him that way. For Alani, it felt like she was peeking in on a private moment; so, instead of staring at the marvel of a man in front of her, she looked out the window. Within minutes, they were pulling up to the theater and Bella hopped out of the car.

“Grab your brother’s hand,” Ethic instructed, as he watched them rush toward the door.