Henry has always liked that he was a man who avoided complications.
The idea of settling and establishing a family looked like a final trap. Who needed trouble with responsibility when there was a world full of freedom? No ties, no obligations – just the life of independence and spontaneous adventure.
But one fatal Saturday morning, all changed. It was not a romantic moment or a deep revelation; It started with a simple dog that licked his face.
Every person finally feels a desire to settle and start a family. But not Henry – he was sure the single remained the best choice for him. But spending a day with his nine -year -old niece caused the real reason for his decision.
In the end, every person feels the urge to settle and start a family. But Henry wasn’t one of them – he firmly believed that staying a single was the best choice for him. After spending a day with his nine -year niece, he understood the real reason for his decision.
That morning sunlight ran down by unknown curtains, and Henry woke up to something warm and wet on his face. He was a dog – not his – a small, fluffy creature with big, excited eyes that looked like saying, “You’re mine now.”
The dog licked his face and threw his tail as if he wanted something – food? Walk? Who knows?
When Henry wiped his eyes, the memories of the previous night slowly returned. He looked and saw her – a girl he met in the club. She kept sleeping, her hair spread over the pillow.
It wasn’t his place. If he were here, it meant he did what he came for.
Now it was time for his usual routine: to catch his belongings and go quietly.
Carefully slipped out of bed and scanned the room. His pants were crumpled on the floor and his shirts were draped over the chair. One sock was next to his shoe, but the other was not found anywhere. His search ended on a dog pad where the sock lay, proudly claimed Little Fluffball and threw his tail as if he won the prize.
Henry crouched and whispered, “Hey, buddy, that’s mine.” He reached out on the sock, but the dog gripped it and growled easily.
Just as the beginning of the war, the sleepy voice interrupted the silence. “Henry?” Are you upstairs? ”
Stiff. She was awake. He turned and saw her smiling at him, her eyes were still hard to sleep.
“Uh, yeah!” Koktal. “I have a job.” Running late to the meeting. “She frowned and her confusion grew.
“But it’s Saturday,” she stressed.
“Sometimes I work weekends.” Important things you know, ”he replied quickly.
Her smile disappeared as she tilted her head curiously. “So … I’ll see you again?”
“Of course,” he lied without hesitation. “I’ll call you.”
She frowned. “Will you call me?” Did I ever give you my number? ”
Uh-oh. Panic gripped his chest. “I thought yes.” No? “He tried to sound occasionally.
“And how did you save my name?” She asked firmly.
Caught, stamped, “with his name, of course.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And what is my name?”
Henry swallowed hard. He had two options: tell the truth or …
“Nancy?” Guessed weakly.
Her face immediately darkened. “Get out of here!” I knew it! You are just like the others – Ugh! ”
The cabinets flew to him as he grabbed his jacket and shoes and avoided her fury to the door.
Once in his car he leaned in the seat and sighed. The rear-view mirrors showed a face that looked strangely satisfied – almost smug.
It was his life: no strings, no duties – just pure freedom. Who needed trouble with his family? Certainly not him.
While everyone else settled, he was chasing excitement – parts, work, and a kind of independence that the others just dreamed of.
At that moment his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen and blinked. Riley? His sister almost never called.
Hesitated, he replied, “Hi, Riley?”
“Henry,” she said in her voice, “I have to talk to you.” Do you have a minute? ”
He frowned. “Sure.” What’s the matter? ”
“Come as soon as possible.” I can’t explain over the phone. When can you get here? ”
“Fifteen minutes.” Is everything fine? ”
“Come on.” I’ll explain it. ”
He stared at the phone for a while and found a car. Whatever it was, it sounded serious.
Twenty minutes later he pulled into her driveway and barely got to the door before he opened it.
Riley stood there, crossed arms, her face a mixture of frustration and urgency. “You’re late!”
“Five minutes,” he replied, entering in.
“Relax, Riley.” In … “You don’t have to be such a pain …”
“I swear,” she hissed. “Mira is nearby.”
He looked and saw his nine -year -old niece Mira, curled on the couch with an encyclopedia.
Her little face was concentrated on concentration and her finger watched the text as a little scholar.
“As expected, you’re my last option,” Riley sighed. “I need to watch Miru today.”
“I mean it?” Henry asked nervously and looked at Mira, who wasn’t gone from her book.
“I wouldn’t ask if I had another choice,” she said clearly frustrated. “I have a business dinner tonight.” Either I go and conclude this agreement or cancel because I can’t leave it alone. Can you help or not? ”
“Okay,” Henry murmured. “If it’s so important.”
“Big. The food is in the kitchen. I left the money in case you have to order something, but keep it healthy. No greasy junk. And not allowed outside. Do you have it?”
“I got it.”
With a quick goodbye, Riley left and left Henry alone with Mira. They looked at each other.
Let the longest day of your life start.
The day went on, Mira sitting quietly on the couch, looking at him sometimes as if there was a scientific experiment.
“So, uh, do you like to read?” He asked and tried to break the silence.
“Yes, yes.” Mom says books are knowledge and I want to know a lot, ”said Mira, her voice cool and sharp, like a character in a film for a miracle of a child.
“Cool, cool … What is your favorite subject at school?” he asked.
Mira sighed and lifted her eyebrows. “That’s such a non -native question, but I will answer anyway.” I like biology because it has a lot of animals and I like to learn about them. ”
“Great,” Henry murmured, and he wasn’t sure what to say. Interviews with children were harder than he thought.
After a while, Mira closed her book and leaned her head. “So you’re my uncle?”
“Yeah!” Replied. “But he probably doesn’t remember me.” We met when you were small. ”
“I have it,” she said simply. Then she asked suddenly, “Are you married?”
“Uh, no.” I’m not married. ”
“Why not?” She asked, her tone rather as an interrogation.
“I don’t want to get married.” I like I’m alone, ”Henry said, hoping to end the conversation.
“No one likes to be alone,” Mira replied, crossing her hands.
“I do!” It insisted, even though her words hit more than he wanted to admit.
“You may be afraid,” she said factually.
“Are you afraid?” What would I be afraid of? “He asked.
“Mom says marriage is a lot of work.” He also says you don’t like work. Maybe you are afraid of hard work,” Mira said, and her tone was as always.
Henry sat down straight. “She told you!” Well, just to know, I’m not afraid! Maybe it’s just … not for me. For the time being.
“I got it.” You’re afraid, ”Mira concluded, grinning. “Anyway I’m hungry.”
“Then eat something,” he said, pointing to the kitchen.
“Mom said you took care of me.” Take care of me, ”she shot.
“Okay,” he murmured and opened the refrigerator. It was full of salads, juices and not the only thing he wanted to eat. He sighed and pulled out the phone.
“Pizza is,” he said.
A few minutes later they were on the couch and swallowed pizza while watching TV. Mira was quiet for one and her face was shining in the light of the screen.
Before Henry knew it, the exhaustion caught up and he fell asleep without realizing it.
When he woke up, the house was terribly quiet. He called Mira, but there was no answer.
Panic threw himself through him. He started looking for a house, checking every room, wardrobe and wardrobe.
His heart raced as time ticking. He had one job – one simple job – watch Miru for one day and couldn’t even do it.
He checked the phone, a desperate idea, and saw the message from Riley: “On the way home. I’ll be there in an hour. Everything fine? ”
He stiffened for a moment before he wrote back: “All good!” It was a lie, but he needed time.
On the ground floor he noticed an open window. Mira had to go out.
He climbed through the window and saw a small boot near the neighboring fence. His heart skipped a beat.
He climbed over the fence to the neighboring backyard, where the robust tree house stood high in a tree.
“Rate?” Called and looked up.
“I’m here,” her calm voice came from above.
Henry climbed the harsh ladder and pounded his pulse. Above he found Mira sits with a boy named Sam and plays with toys.
“Rate!” You scared me! “He shouted and still caught his breath. “Why did you run so?”
“I was bored,” the shoulders shrugged. “And Sam was here.” Sam, greet my uncle. ”
“Hi, Mira’s uncle,” he murmured to Sam, not even looking up from his toys.
“But your mom said you weren’t allowed outside!” Henry protested.
“She said he was supposed to make sure I didn’t go out,” Mira replied factually. “But you slept.” Now I know what you’re afraid of. ”
“Of course I was afraid!” Henry barked and then softened. “Sorry.” But why doesn’t your mom let you play with other children? ”
“He says I will pick up bad habits,” Mira said simply.
“There is nothing wrong with playing with other children,” Henry said gently. “Your mom is just … protective.”
“And aren’t you pretty protective?” She grinned.
Henry sighed. “You are right.” I will be more cautious from now on. ”
Suddenly the front door opened and hit in and Mira took place with a toy in her hand.
“Hey, Riley!” Henry said, trying to sound informal, but failed.
Riley froze, her eyes narrowed as she took in the scene. “Rear? Where? And why is the window open?!”
“Uh …” Henry scratched the back of the head. “A funny story.” Mira was bored so she went out and – “
“Did you let her climb out of the window?!” Riley’s voice increased in disbelief.
“I slept technically when it happened,” Henry admitted immensely.
Mira rang, she did not affect: “We were in the neighboring tree. It was fun. ”
“Treehouse?!” Riley looked as if she was going to explode. “Henry, I believed you with one simple task!”
“I know, I know,” Henry said quickly, raising his hands. “But look – it’s safe, I found it and now everything is fine.”
Riley sighed her nose for a long time. “Henry, you’re lucky to be fine.” Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind. Just … don’t let it happen again. ”
“I have it,” Henry murmured. “The lesson learned.”
Mira smiled at her mother. “Uncle Henry is not that bad.” It only needs more practice. ”
Riley looked at her, but a little smile crawled on her face. “You’re right.”
“Surprise!” Mira and Henry screamed in unison as they jumped out from the outside.
Riley jumped back and clutched her chest. “God! I thought you were two of you are away! What is with you?”
They disintegrated with a laughter, and Mira was almost doubled. Riley’s strict face softened as she watched her daughter’s infectious giggles.
“Sorry, sis.” You asked, ”Henry teased, grinning. “Seriously, don’t worry much.” Nothing spoiled. You just have to trust Mira a little. ”
“Yeah, Mom!” Mira was heard and her face shone with joy.
Riley sighed and shook her head as an unwilling smile appeared on her face. “You two are impossible,” she said, pulling Miru to the embrace. “But I think I’ll let it slip this time.”
When Henry went to his car, he couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes children have a way to teach you things that you never knew you had to learn.
The day spent with Mira was for Henry an unexpected revelation. He has always been proud of his carefree lifestyy style. But as he walked through the chaos of watching his niece, he realized something deeper about himself. Mira, with her dull observations and the absurd attitude unknowingly, questioned his views on the family, responsibility and determination.
At the end of the day, when Riley saw an unexpected turn of events with a tree and a window, Henry could no longer deny that he had learned more about himself than he had expected. Mira’s innocent, but keen questions opened the door to the idea that maybe, just maybe, there was more than being free and independent. It wasn’t about the fear of responsibility; It was about realizing that he had the ability to care, protect, nd grow from these moments of vulnerability.
It wasn’t just a question of parenting or responsibility – it was about connection. Henry left that day with a new understanding, not only about what the family means, but also about how love and determination could lose in the most anticipated forms. Sometimes there was a day with a nine-year-old stack before he began to see the world-self.
And when he left, he found that he was smiling, and perhaps he thought he might have been ready for a new chapter in his life.