I Don’t Have Mama, Can I Spend A Day With You, Ma’am? —Begged the little Girl to the Female CEO…

A Request for Connection

“She asked if she could spend a day with me to do girl things. She wants someone to be her mama for a day”.

Victoria’s voice was soft. “She told me her mother passed away.” James’s face crumbled slightly.

“Sophie, honey, you can’t just ask strangers.” “But she’s not a stranger anymore, daddy”.

“Her name is Victoria and she’s really nice. She looks lonely like us and maybe we could all be less lonely together”.

Sophie’s words tumbled out in a rush. James looked between his daughter and Victoria, clearly torn between protecting his child and recognizing her need.

“Miss Sterling, I appreciate your kindness but we couldn’t possibly impose.” “You’re not imposing,” Victoria said.

Victoria paused, surprised by her own honesty. “Honestly, I think I need this as much as she does”.

Something in Victoria’s voice must have convinced James because his expression softened. “Can we sit down and talk about this properly?”.

They sat on the bench together, Sophie between them, while Victoria explained. She told them she was CEO of a media company.

She had never married and never had children, having poured everything into her career. She had woken up that morning, her 35th birthday, and realized she was completely alone.

She had no family and no close friends, just work and more work. “I came to this park to think,” Victoria said quietly.

“I wanted to figure out if this is really the life I want. And then Sophie appeared and saw right through me”.

“She’s a very perceptive little girl.” “She is,” James agreed, looking at his daughter with such love it made Victoria’s chest ache.

“Her mother was the same way. She passed away 2 years ago from cancer. Since then, it’s been just us”.

“I’m trying to be both parents but I’m failing at it. I’m a software engineer and my company keeps demanding more hours”.

“Sophie needs attention I can’t always give her. She needs female influence, someone to teach her things I don’t know how to teach”.

“What if,” Victoria said slowly, “we made this a regular thing? Not just one day, but maybe one day a week”.

“I could take Sophie for the day. I would do activities with her and give you some time to work or rest”.

“And it would give me…” She looked at Sophie, who was watching her with hopeful eyes. “It would give me something I didn’t know I was missing”.

James studied her carefully. “Miss Sterling…” “Victoria, please”.

“Victoria, why would you do this? You don’t know us”.

“Because your daughter asked me if I was lonely and I realized I am. I’ve spent 15 years building a career and forgot to build a life”.

“And because she looks at me like maybe I could be something important to someone. Do you know how rare that is?”.

James was quiet for a long moment. “Can I think about it? Maybe we could exchange information”.

“You could provide references. We could do this safely and properly”.

“Of course, that’s smart.” Victoria pulled out a business card. “My work number is there and I’ll write my personal cell on the back”.

“Call me if you decide this is something you’re comfortable with. No pressure”.

That night, James called. They talked for over an hour.

He asked careful questions about her background, her intentions, and her life. She answered honestly.

By the end of the conversation, they had agreed to try it. They would start with one Saturday a month to see how it went.

The first Saturday, Victoria picked Sophie up at 9 in the morning. She had barely slept the night before, nervous and excited in equal measure.

She had planned an entire day. There would be breakfast at a cafe, then the children’s museum, lunch, and maybe some shopping.

Sophie appeared at the door in her brown coat, clutching Mr. Bear. Her face was glowing with excitement.

“You came!” “Of course I came. I promised, didn’t I?”.

They spent the day doing all the things Victoria had planned and several things she hadn’t. Sophie wanted to look at and touch everything and ask questions about everything.

She held Victoria’s hand as they walked. She chattered about her dreams and fears and favorite things.

At lunch, Sophie said, “Victoria, can I tell you something?” “Always”.

“My mama used to take me for hot chocolate before she got sick. I missed that”.

Victoria felt tears sting her eyes. “Would you like to get hot chocolate after lunch?” “Yes, please”.

They sat in the cafe drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream. Sophie told Victoria about her mother.

She spoke of how her mother used to sing lullabies and make funny pancakes. She always knew when Sophie needed a hug.

“I’m not trying to replace her,” Victoria said gently. “Your mama sounds like she was wonderful”.

“She was. But daddy says it’s okay to love other people too. Mama would want me to have people who care about me”.

“Do you care about me, Victoria?” “Yes,” Victoria said, realizing it was true. “I do”.

One Saturday a month became two, then every weekend. Victoria found herself rearranging her schedule.

She began delegating more at work and leaving the office earlier. These were things she had never done before.

Such changes would have been unthinkable six months ago. She taught Sophie how to braid hair.

They baked bee cookies together. They went to the zoo, the aquarium, and art museums.

Victoria bought Sophie books, clothes, and toys. She stopped herself, worried she was overstepping, but James assured her it was fine.

“You’re giving her something I can’t,” James said one evening. “You’re giving her female attention and guidance”.

“Honestly, you’re giving me something too. It is time to breathe and time to be a better parent because I’m not so overwhelmed”.

“She’s giving me more than I’m giving her,” Victoria admitted. “I was so lonely, James”.

“I didn’t realize how lonely until Sophie asked to spend a day with me”.