Henry believed he’d stay single forever, convinced freedom was better than attachments. But a day babysitting his niece Mira challenged that notion.
The morning began with Henry slipping out of a one-night stand, dodging questions and slippers. His carefree routine was interrupted by a call from his sister, Riley, asking him to watch Mira.
At first, their day was awkward. Mira, a sharp and curious nine-year-old, questioned his solitary life, suggesting he was afraid of commitment. Lunch and TV brought a brief truce, but when Henry dozed off, Mira slipped outside to play in a treehouse.
Panicked, Henry found her safe but realized how much he cared. Her simple question—“You care about me?”—hit him harder than expected.
By the day’s end, Henry saw Mira not as a chore but a joy, and her words lingered: No one likes being alone. Driving home, Henry couldn’t help but wonder if his fear of settling down had been holding him back all along.
Sometimes, it takes a child to show you what truly matters.
