Her Eyes Were Shining

It was hard to swallow her pride and her real feelings. Seeing that huge smile and those two brown eyes so crinkly with joy warmed her heart. She loved Mr. Brown Eyes. Seeing the two blue eyes above two rosy cheeks and a line of baby teeth was supposed to also melt her heart, but it didn't.

She'd tried to explain to Mr. Brown Eyes that she had tried to feel love, or protective, or even akin to the little boy, but it just wouldn't come. They say to fake it 'til you make it. So she played Railroad conductor, dragon and knight (she was the dragon), and read countless stories. She smiled in all the pictures and gave herself and the child cutesy nicknames, hoping to bond over that.

Nothing worked.

She didn't feel anything but left out when Mr. Brown Eyes hoisted the child high into the air and spun him around, both of them laughing and squealing. They shared a bond she couldn't have. The little guy stole the happiness she wanted from her man. Anger coiled in the pit of her stomach but her eyes were shining.