Taking the Leap

Ashley sat in front of her computer, her cursor hovering over the "sign up" button on the dating app she had been hesitant to join for weeks. She had been considering taking the plunge for months now, and Ender's recent questions about his father had made her realize that it was time to start thinking about her own future. She wasn't sure if she was ready to start dating again, but a part of her felt like it was time to take a chance. As she thought about it, Ashley couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was excited at the prospect of meeting new people and potentially finding someone special, but she was also nervous about putting herself out there. What if she got hurt again? What if she wasn't ready for the dating scene? What if Ender didn't like her new partner? Ashley took a deep breath and tried to push aside her doubts. She had been stuck in a rut for too long, and it was time to start living again. She thought about all the times she had put her life on hold, waiting for the pain of her past to subside. She had been so focused on raising Ender and healing herself that she had forgotten what it was like to be a part of a couple. With a newfound determination, Ashley clicked the "sign up" button and began to fill out her profile. She wrote about her love of reading, her passion for hiking, and her devotion to her son. She posted a few photos, including one of her and Ender, and another of her on a solo hike in the mountains. As she finished her profile, Ashley felt a sense of accomplishment. She had taken the first step, and now all she could do was wait and see what happened. She closed her laptop and stood up, looking around her living room. Ender was playing with his toys on the floor, and Rachel was sitting on the couch, reading a book. "Hey, guys," Ashley said, trying to sound casual. "I'm going to go get some fresh air. Anyone want to come with me?" Ender looked up at her, his eyes shining with excitement. "I do, Mommy!" he exclaimed, jumping up from the floor. Rachel looked up from her book, a smile on her face. "I'll come too," she said, closing her book and standing up. As they walked out into the evening air, Ashley felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to take a chance and see where life took her. And as she looked at Ender, who was skipping ahead of her, she knew that she was doing this for both of them. She was taking a leap of faith, not just for herself, but for her son, who deserved to see his mother happy.