Toddler in Tow (Single Wide Female & Family #3)

by Lillianna Blake

  “Of course I am, Sammy.” He pulled me close and kissed my cheek. “I’m so grateful we have this opportunity, and it’s all because of you. Our family is going to have the chance to be together and explore. What could be better than that?”

  I looked back at the house and took a deep breath. “I guess I got more settled than I realized.”

  “Don’t worry, that courageous trailblazer is still there—deep down, right about here.” He gave my bottom a light slap.

  “Watch it, Max!” I eyed him.

  “Oh, I’m watching it, honey. Go ahead and walk around the car and I’ll be watching.”

  I rolled my eyes and walked around the car. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time, followed by a low whistle.

  I opened the door to the car and climbed inside. Abby was sound asleep in her car seat. I knew that might not last very long.

  “Let’s go, Max, we need to maximize nap time.”

  “Yes, we do.” He started the car and drove down our street.

  I had the distinct feeling of adventure as we set out on our new journey.

  Chapter 10

  Twenty minutes later we were stuck in traffic with a screaming toddler.

  “I want to go home! I want to go home!” she wailed.

  “Sweetie, we’re going to be in the car for a while, but you’re going to have a great time. I brought some snacks.” I held up a bag of cheese crackers.

  “No!” She struggled in her car seat.

  “And so it begins.” Max chuckled as he looked over at me.

  “Maybe we should stop somewhere.”

  “Sammy, we can’t stop every time she has a fit. We’ll never get to Maine that way.”

  “I know, but she seems really upset. Abby, why do you want to go home?” I spoke up so she could hear me over her wails.

  “Potty, Mommy!”

  “Oh!” My eyes widened. “Max, we do need to stop. She has to go potty.”

  “Uh.” Max looked at the line of traffic that surrounded us on both sides. “I’m not sure that’s a possibility at the moment.”

  “You have to find a way or she’s going to have an accident.”

  “Alright, I might be able to get over to that gas station when the light changes.”

  As soon as the light shifted to green, he gunned the engine, blared his horn, and managed to slip through two lanes to get to the gas station.

  Colorful words were hurled in our direction but I didn’t care. Abby needed to use the bathroom and I was going to make sure that she got there.

  As soon as Max parked, I grabbed Abby out of the back and ran for the bathroom. When I reached it, I discovered that it was locked—I would need a key. “Ugh! Hurry, sweetie, we have to go inside the store.”

  “Potty, Mommy, potty!” she cried.

  “I know, I know.” I led her into the gas station and found a long line at the register. “Excuse me please, I just need the key for the bathroom.”

  “You have to wait like the rest of us.” A young woman curled her lip at me.

  “Please, it’s my daughter.”

  “Potty!” Abby shrieked.

  “Oh!” The woman ducked out of the way, as did the rest of the crowd.

  I raced to the counter and the clerk tossed me the key. I caught it and scooped up Abby, then ran for the bathroom.

  I opened the door and was greeted by the disgusting scent of an unattended bathroom. “Hold your breath, honey.” I grabbed some toilet paper to make her a safe zone.

  She stood by the door and continued to wail.

  “Abby, we’re here. The potty is right here.” I pointed to the toilet.

  “No, I want my potty.” She stomped her foot.

  All at once I realized that what she wanted was her little frog-shaped potty that she’d trained on. She hadn’t used it in a few weeks, but apparently it was what she wanted.

  “Abby, you have to sit on this potty.”

  “Potty!” Abby stamped her foot again.

  “Now listen, Abby, we don’t have the froggy potty. You’re going to have to be a big girl and use the big potty. Do you want me to show you?”

  “No.”

  She looked as if she was about to throw herself on the filthy floor. I lunged in fast and picked her up. My stomach flipped. It was one of those moments when I had no idea what to do. If I got stern with her she might harbor ill feelings toward using the potty. If I didn’t, she’d probably pee on the floor.

  I took a deep breath—which I regretted the moment my nostrils filled with the scent of the bathroom—and reminded myself that I needed to ask questions.

  “Abby, why do you want the froggy potty?”

  “Ribbit!” She sniffed.

  “Oh, you like that it says ‘Ribbit, ribbit, good job,’ when you’re done?”

  “Yes!” Her bottom lip trembled.

  “Okay, well we don’t have the froggy potty, but if you would like, I can say it! How does that sound? I’ll even hop like a froggy. What do you say?”

  “You’ll hop big?” Her eyes widened.

  “Yes, very big.”

  “Okay.” She sat right down on the potty.

  Chapter 11

  I paced back and forth in the bathroom as I waited for the sound of success.

  Once I heard it, Abby grinned at me.

  “Okay, here I go!” I crouched down and jumped as high as I could. “Ribbit! Ribbit! Ahh!”

  My foot slid through a puddle of soap next to the sink and I headed straight for the floor. It seemed as if I was falling in slow motion as I could smell, see, and sense everything that I would be colliding with when I landed.

  “Mommy!” Abby jumped off the toilet and ran straight toward me just as I was getting to my feet. When she collided with me, I slipped again and landed right back in the same spot. “Bad froggy!” Abby wiggled her finger at me.

  “Yes.” I sighed as I looked up at the ceiling. “Very bad froggy.”

  Once I had Abby situated, I spent about five minutes washing my hands and every other exposed area of my skin. There was nothing I could do about my clothes, as the trunk was too packed to go digging around.

  When I opened the door of the bathroom, I found several women lined up outside. In all the craziness, I’d forgotten that there was quite a line for the bathroom.

  “I’m sorry.” I offered the key to the next woman.

  “Ribbit.” She burst out laughing and hurried past me into the bathroom.

  As I walked past the line, all the women began to chant. “Ribbit, ribbit!”

  Embarrassed, disgusted—and okay, a little amused—I made it back to the car.

  Max yawned and looked over at me.

  “What took you so long?”

  “I really, really don’t want to talk about it.”

  Luckily that was the worst thing that happened on our road trip to Maine. Abby calmed down and found the passing cars more fascinating than any of the toys I’d brought. Max sang every bad song on the radio as loud as he could just to entertain me. I forgot all about my clothes smeared with invisible bathroom-floor germs.

  When we crossed into Maine all three of us cheered together.

  After about another hour of driving we made it to the mountainside college. It was late, but when I called the office, someone picked up right away.

  “This is Dean Mathers.”

  “Hi, Dean Mathers. I know we’re a little later than you expected, but this is Samantha. I’m here for the book tour.”

  “Oh yes, I’ve been hoping that you didn’t get into an accident. Really, it’s quite late.”

  “I understand; we can find a hotel if that would be easier.”

  “Not around here you won’t—not this time of year. Everything’s booked up.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t worry, I have a place for you to stay. Just park in the visitor’s lot and I’ll meet you at the main entrance.”

  “Thank you.”

  Once we were parked, I gathered the thi
ngs I thought we would need for our overnight stay and then walked with Abby toward the campus entrance. Max followed right after me, loaded down with bags.

  When we reached the doors, a short man with glasses that he wore on a chain, pushed one of the doors open and smiled.

  “Samantha, thank you for coming.” His eyes landed on Abby. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d have a child with you.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought Heather made that clear when she made the arrangements.”

  “There was a bit of a rush to do this so perhaps some information got lost in the fray.”

  “It’s pretty important information.” Max frowned as he set the bags down by his feet.

  “It is. But let’s not worry. I’m sure you’ll be just fine. It’s just that the room I have for you is in a fraternity house.”

  “Great.” Max shrugged. “We just need a place to sleep. It should be fine.”

  “Sure.” I forced a smile.

  I didn’t think it would be fine at all. Drunk, wild college students? That didn’t exactly go with trying to get a three-year-old to bed. But Max was right. We did need a place to sleep after being in the car for so long.

  When we arrived at the house there were streamers of toilet paper in the tree outside. The recycling bin overflowed with cans and bottles. I gritted my teeth as the dean led us through the door into the house. To my relief it was quiet. It didn’t seem as if anyone was home.

  “Your room is right here.” He opened a door on the ground floor to reveal a rather large room with two twin beds.

  “This will work.” I nodded. “Thank you.”

  “The book signing is slotted for tomorrow afternoon, and then an additional one in the evening if that’s possible.”

  “Sure, I can do that. I understand the afternoon one is going to be part of a special orientation?”

  “Yes, we’re trying to get with the times and be a bit more liberal, so the orientation is all about women’s rights and such.” He shrugged. “I’m getting too old for this job.”

  I raised an eyebrow but was too tired to make an issue out of his dismissive tone. “Okay, thank you. I have the times that I’m supposed to be there.”

  “Oh, and there’s plenty of food in the kitchen if you’re hungry. Please do call me if you need anything; however, I do have a ten o’clock bedtime. So if it’s after that, and not an emergency, I’m sure it can wait until morning.”

  “Of course.” I managed a smile and tried to focus on the positive. As he’d said, there was nowhere else available, so there was no point in not accepting the circumstances.

  Chapter 12

  After the dean left, Max set the bags down.

  “Max, why don’t you and Abby explore the room and I’ll find us something to eat in the kitchen.”

  “Great, I’m starving.”

  “Me too.” Abby grinned.

  She looked very energetic, and I didn’t predict much sleep in our future.

  As I walked into the kitchen, I noticed another woman there. I was relieved to see that she was closer to my age than she was to a college student.

  “Hello, I hope you don’t mind. I was told I could forage for some food in here.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” She turned and smiled at me. “I’m doing the same thing. My husband and I are here visiting our son.”

  “You have a son in college?” My eyes widened. “You seem far too young.”

  “It may seem that way, but trust me, I’m plenty old enough. Anyway, I’m just grabbing some snacks for the road.”

  “Oh, are you leaving?”

  “Just for the night. We’ll be back in the morning. There’s an orientation that I’m really looking forward to seeing. One of my favorite authors is going to be speaking.”

  “Oh?” I smiled. Could it be me? Were there other writers on the list to speak? I had no idea.

  “I’m here for that as well.”

  “I bet I’ll see you there then. Where are you staying?”

  “Here. The dean arranged a room for us.”

  “Oh.” She grinned. “Well, good luck.”

  “Thanks. I think we’re going to need it. Couldn’t he arrange a room for you since your son lives here?”

  “No, we never stay on campus when we visit. There are so many wonderful campsites. We can’t pass up the chance to enjoy them.”

  “Oh, you camp?”

  “Absolutely. I don’t think you’ve ever really seen Maine if you haven’t camped here. The natural beauty of it is just astounding. You should try it sometime.”

  “It might be hard with a three-year-old.” I smiled.

  “My babies were camping with me from the time they were about a year old. It would have been earlier, but we just didn’t have the time to camp. As soon as we got the chance, we exposed them to the reality of the world. You know these buildings—they aren’t the reality. I believe kids need to be immersed in nature so that they don’t forget it exists. So often they’re trapped in a small area with maybe a few trees and grass, but not a gorgeous mountain towering above them and crystal streams flowing past.”

  “That does sound beautiful.”

  “I wouldn’t trade it. Anyway, it was nice meeting you. I’m Linda.”

  “Samantha.” I offered her my hand.

  “Samantha?” Her eyes widened. “You’re much too young to have a child that attends here. You couldn’t possibly be...” She trailed off as she stared at me.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I winked at her, then grabbed a box of crackers and headed back to the room.

  Max had just pulled Abby off the bed and his cheeks were flushed.

  “What happened?”

  “She was trying to jump between the two of them. Scared the life out of me.”

  “Abby.” I looked into her eyes. “That’s not safe, and you scared Daddy. That’s not nice.”

  “I’m sorry. Crackers!” She reached for the box.

  “Not much to eat, huh?” Max frowned. “Maybe I should take the car and find something.”

  “I’m sure there was more but I met a woman in the kitchen and I got distracted. Anyway, we don’t want Abby to eat too much if we’re going to try to get her to sleep any time soon.”

  “That’s true.” He quirked a brow. “Aren’t you sleepy, Abby? “

  “No way!” She crunched down on a cracker.

  After a few books and a few songs Abby did start to drift off. However, the moment she did loud rock music began to blast through the house.

  She jumped into my arms. “What’s that?”

  “Just some music—I’m sure it will turn off soon.”

  As expected, the music cut off. But then it was followed by the pounding of feet that ran up and down the stairs of the three-story house. Abby whined and buried her head in the crook of my arm. The music kicked back on. Quite a few more people—or possibly a herd of elephants—continued to run up and down the stairs.

  Abby whimpered and closed her eyes.

  “This just isn’t going to work, Max. There’s too much partying going on.”

  “We can see if we can find a hotel.”

  “I have a better idea. Linda, the woman I met, was telling me that they camp out when they come to visit. Why don’t we just camp? We can still be nearby and we’ll also get some exciting experiences in for Abby.”

  “I don’t know, Sammy. What if you can’t sleep well? What if Abby makes friends with a bear?”

  “I’d be more worried about the bear.” I laughed.

  “Good point. I guess it could be fun—if you call lack of technology, climate control, and dry beds fun.”

  “The weather is perfect, and Maine has such beautiful campsites. I think it’s a good idea.”

  “Okay, first thing in the morning, I’ll call and see if there are any openings available.”

  “Great. Now, how am I going to get some sleep tonight?” I yawned and stretched a little.

  “Maybe if we just pretend we’re really sleep
y at a rock concert?”

  “Maybe.” I closed my eyes and held Abby close.

  At some point during the night either the house quieted down or I just slept through it.

  When I woke it was already past nine.

  Chapter 13

  “Max, we overslept.” I shook his shoulder.

  “Hm?” He blinked, then put a finger to his lips. “It’s so quiet.”

  “I’m sure everyone’s just gotten to bed.” I laughed. “Too bad they’ll have a three-year-old running up and down the stairs.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “I might.” I winked at him.

  We found a place to have breakfast, then visited a campsite that had an open cabin. It wasn’t exactly regular camping but it would work. The cabin didn’t have running water but there were accessible showers and a communal kitchen.

  We paid for the night and spent some time on the playground with Abby.

  While she played, I mentally went over what I’d say to the students at the orientation. It was clear to me that the dean didn’t have much of a grasp on women’s issues, but did I?

  What was campus life like for a young woman just embarking on her college journey? I could only imagine the pressure and uncertainty that greeted her. Could I really reach these young people?

  I felt as if I’d lived a lifetime longer than them. While they were just preparing to enter a new phase in their lives, I was married, with a child and career. Could I still look through their eyes at the world that was unfolding before them and be able to have something relevant to say?

  “You look nervous.” Max wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Getting back in the saddle isn’t so easy, is it?”

  “I just wonder if I jumped into this without thinking it through. The last book tour was great and I was able to reach my readers, but this one feels different. Most of the people attending are going to be much younger than me. What if they have no interest in what I have to say?”

  “Sammy, on the last book tour you spoke to people who lived in completely different cultures, who spoke different languages, and you still managed to reach them. Once you’re up there, you’re going to do just fine. Remember, this is your passion, and this is a crucial time to make a difference in their lives. You don’t have to be someone else, all you have to be is you. Don’t try to be an image or make an impression. You have a natural way of reaching whoever you’re speaking to, so just allow it.”