A small laugh tumbled out of her. “Can we really?”
“Of course. Your wish is my command. Just give me another minute or so…”
I sent my computer scanning through the hordes of legit and—being honest—mostly illegitimate media sites out there and found one that was streaming Spy Time. It was so simple I grabbed the TV remote and clicked it on at the same time. Dess scooted forward on the sofa, glancing between me and the TV. A couple more clicks, and…
The first episode started playing in front of us. Peppy ‘60s music spilled out of the speakers as the characters romped from one crazy scenario to another in the opening sequence.
Dess’s lips parted. She gazed at the screen with an expression that could only be described as rapturous. Then she shot me a quick glance, her eyes shining. “Thank you. I really do appreciate it.”
Her obvious delight sent a flutter through my chest. I’d done something good today.
“I was happy to,” I said honestly. “Now watch!”
She smiled again, with a softness I wouldn’t have expected to ever see from her either, and relaxed back into the corner of the sofa. She pulled up her knees in her usual closed-off way, but this time, she didn’t seem like she was guarding herself, only getting comfortable. As she watched the show play out, the saddened expression that came from a life of hardships—I had to assume—transformed into perfect contentment.
What a sight.
One of the main characters cracked a joke on-screen, and Dess laughed loudly, covering her mouth as if even she was startled by the sound. The smile didn’t quite fade from her eyes.
She could watch her show all she liked. I couldn’t stop watching her. I didn’t know when I’d see that joy again, and while it lasted, I couldn’t look away.
I’d embrace every last second of it, and I already knew I’d do whatever I could to make it happen again.