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

by Lillianna Blake

  “Max, you’re amazing, you know that?”

  “I like to think it.” He grinned. “I like it even more when I hear it from you.”

  I kissed him, then ruffled Abby’s hair as she ran up to me for a hug. “Wow, look at you.” I looked down at her dirt-smudged cheeks and grubby hands and grinned. “Looks like you’ve been having a lot of fun. Maybe we could all use a shower before the orientation.”

  “I think that sounds like a good idea.” Max scratched the back of his neck. “I think I’ve been some lucky mosquito’s feast.”

  “Didn’t you use the bug spray?”

  “Uh—well…”

  “Big tough Max doesn’t need bug spray, huh?”

  “Something like that.” He scratched his neck again.

  “Let’s see if we can get in the showers before the rush.”

  I gathered a few of the items we’d need from the car, then met Max and Abby at the showers. I had assumed they would be individual showers, only to discover that it was one large open room with dividing curtains between the showerheads. The thought of it made me uneasy, but I told myself it was just part of camping.

  Max stood outside the door while Abby and I showered. Abby was more interested in chasing the soap bubbles down the drain than she was in her hovering mother. I managed to get her hair washed and her face scrubbed, then turned my attention on me.

  I went through a routine of cleansing my thoughts right along with my body. Once I was certain that I had my center—and that my child was nearby still playing with soap bubbles—I closed my eyes and began to recite in my mind all the positive things about my experience so far and what I could look forward to during my speech. I could feel a glow rising through me—a glow of confidence, passion, and excitement.

  Then ice-cold water struck me in the face.

  Chapter 14

  “Ah!”

  I screamed so loud that Max came charging into the shower room.

  “Sammy? Abby?”

  “Oh my! She turned the cold water on!”

  Abby laughed so hard that she could barely run for protection from her father. Max wrapped her up in a towel and tried to hide his amusement.

  I shivered as I grabbed a towel for myself. “You think this is funny, do you? Just you wait until you take your shower.” I pointed my finger at him.

  “I might not want to now.” He grimaced. “I’m frightened.”

  “You should be.” I poked Abby’s nose and wagged my finger at her. “Not nice!”

  “Sorry, Mommy!” She giggled.

  I couldn’t help but kiss the nose I’d poked. Yes, she was a spirited child, but she had a very good sense of humor.

  By the time I was ready to go to the orientation, my nervousness had returned. I took a walk down to the water to salvage some of my calm. As I watched the water ripple by, I felt dwarfed by the power of nature. Who was I to think that I could control anything? Life had its own flow and my only goal was to float with it. The more I considered how far I’d come, the more certain I was that I was on the right path for me.

  When I returned to the cabin Max had Abby dressed and ready to go.

  “Nice. Thanks, Max.”

  “Sure. You just stay focused on your speech.”

  “I’m trying.” I grinned.

  As we drove back to the college I wondered if the woman I’d met the night before would be there. I hoped so, as I wanted to speak directly to her if she was.

  When we arrived, the parking lot was overflowing with cars. I began to understand why the dean had arranged for us to stay on campus. Max found a spot at the end of the parking lot and we began our hike to the front doors. Of course, five minutes in, Abby began to complain.

  “I’m tired. How far? It’s hot.” She tugged on Max’s hand, then on mine.

  I gave in and lifted her up onto my shoulders.

  She giggled and we both sighed with relief.

  Then came the next complaint. “I’m thirsty.”

  “Here.” Max handed her a lollipop. “It’s the best we can do until we get inside the building.”

  “Yum!” She quieted down.

  I glanced over at Max, who winked at me.

  The closer we got to the building, the more crowded it became. Several people walked through the courtyard, while others gathered near the front doors of the auditorium. It was clear to me that the event was either mandatory or just very popular.

  I tried to keep the butterflies from raging in my stomach as Max opened the door for me.

  “Time to come down, Abby.” He reached up to grab her, then his eyes widened. “Oh no.”

  “What?” I felt a tug on my hair. “Abby, don’t pull Mommy’s hair. That hurts.”

  “My lolly!” She tugged again.

  “Sammy, try not to panic, but—”

  “She got the lollipop stuck in my hair?” I reached up and felt the sticky ball swirled in several strands of my hair. “Seriously, Abby?”

  “Oops.” She giggled.

  “Don’t worry, we can fix it.” Max pulled at the lollipop, which then pulled my hair.

  “Max!”

  “Okay, just give me a second.” He frowned, then tapped a woman beside him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, could I buy your hat?”

  “Buy my hat?” She adjusted her wide-brimmed sunhat. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “Please, I’ll give you twenty dollars for it.”

  “It’s worth quite a bit more than that.”

  “I apologize, but really, it’s just a straw hat.”

  “It has sentimental value.”

  “Okay, forty.”

  “Max, don’t worry about it, I’ll just run to the bathroom and find a way to get it out.”

  “Sammy, there isn’t time, you’re the first speaker.”

  “Sammy? Samantha?” The woman smiled. “I came here just to hear you speak! Of course you can have my hat.” She looked at the lollipop in my hair. “A little bit of cold water should get that out, but if it doesn’t, you can try peanut butter.” She took off her hat and offered it to me.

  “Thank you so much. I’ll be careful with it and get it back to you right after.”

  “Please, don’t even consider it. I’d love for you to have it. I can’t believe I’m getting the chance to meet you face-to-face. I didn’t expect it.”

  “I’m glad to meet you. What’s your name?”

  “Mary Ellen.”

  “Beautiful name. Catch me after the orientation so that we can chat more, okay?”

  “Sure, maybe I could help you get that sucker out of your hair.”

  “Maybe.” I laughed. Just like that, a crisis was averted and I’d made a new friend.

  I breathed in deeply as I watched the dean take his place at the microphone.

  “As you all know I’ve called this orientation because it’s time that our campus got with the times. I’ve asked a few people to speak today, but I’d like to say a few words first. I have to say that I grew up in a different time, a different generation. It’s hard for me to adjust. I know it may be hard for some of you as well. But our campus is a safe haven for every student who seeks to learn here. So whatever can be done to improve that safety needs to be done. As you begin your education here, I want you to know that every single staff member is dedicated to our students’ having an efficient and excellent educational experience. For a little inspiration, I’ve invited a woman whose books have gained quite a bit of attention.”

  Chapter 15

  As the dean introduced me, I adjusted the hat on my head and took another deep breath. I had to find a way to stay focused despite my silly hat and the lollipop that hid beneath it.

  As I approached the podium, I smiled at the dean, but my heart wasn’t in it. Did I really belong here in front of all these people?

  Getting up on stage after so long away from the limelight was a breath-stealing experience. As much as I wanted to breathe slowly in and out, I could barely bring myself to breathe at all.
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  The crowd in the auditorium was much larger than the groups that would gather at the coffee shops on my last tour. The endless sea of faces made it impossible for me to seek out the friendly face of Mary Ellen. I was alone behind the podium, with no explanation for my big straw hat. Some of these people were fans, but most were just college students expected to endure my speech.

  Once I opened my mouth, it all began, and there was no turning back.

  “What bright futures you all have. Maybe it’s hard for you to see that from where you sit. Maybe you’re still experiencing some serious doubts, but I can tell you—from where I stand—all I see is achievement for you. You’ve gotten yourselves this far, to a place of learning, so that you can have a solid start to your careers. No matter what you choose to do after this, you will never forget this time in your life.”

  A round of applause gave me the chance to catch my breath. When I continued, I felt a little more confident.

  “As you may know, I am a writer, but it took me a very long time to come to that conclusion. It’s easy to believe that we can carve out a life and live it, that it’s as simple as that. But that’s not always the case. In fact, many times people veer off from their original degree. In my case, I veered off in an entirely new direction. And it was terrifying. Just as, I’m sure, many of the firsts that you’re experiencing here have been.” I smiled as I noticed nods of agreement. “The important thing is not to let that fear stop you.”

  The lights were so bright that my head was sweating. I completely forgot why I had the hat on my head and pulled it off as I paced across the stage. Only when I felt the weight of the lollipop in my hair did I realized what I’d done.

  Several of the students in the front row realized as well. They laughed and whispered to each other.

  “Oh? What is it?” I looked around at the audience. “Is there a lollipop in my hair? Yes, there is. It’s not surprising to me, honestly. What’s surprising to me is if there isn’t something crazy happening in my life at any given moment. I’m sure many of you can understand that. Maybe it’s not a lollipop in your hair. Maybe it’s a test you forgot to study for, or a surprise outing with friends that comes at the wrong time. Things happen—strange things, badly timed things, and stressful things. But how we react to them, how we deal with them—that’s what makes the biggest difference in our lives. It’s still your choice, no matter the chaos, how you react to any situation that you’re in.

  “So yes, I have a lollipop stuck in my hair and maybe one day you’ll have a lollipop stuck in your hair too. But instead of panicking and locking myself away to save some embarrassment, I found my way through it—with the help of my amazing husband and a new friend.

  “Don’t let the huge brick walls that appear in your paths stop you. Climb them, paint all over them, walk around them, but don’t be afraid of them. There’s always going to be something that happens in life that ruffles your feathers. But how you face it, how you handle it, can change everything.” I paused as several people applauded. I tried not to think about the lollipop on top of my head.

  When it quieted down, I began to speak again.

  “I know that this orientation is about safety and fairness for women on campus. Some of you young men out there might be wondering how it could be so much worse for women—why do they get a special orientation? The truth is, it shouldn’t be any different for women. Unfortunately it can be.

  “A woman is faced with so many different pressures when she arrives for her first day of class. She can be just as intelligent, just as prepared for that class, but she will be faced with numerous insecurities that her male counterparts just don’t experience. I’m here to say, this is not something that can be combatted by women alone. It’s time we worked together as a community to take care of each other.

  “When you set foot on this campus, you become a part of this community and it’s up to you how you’re going to interact with those around you. Sure, you might be stressed, you might be worn out from studying, or maybe from partying, but you still have that choice of how you’re going to react and interact.

  “When you find yourself faced with a situation that feels overwhelming, just remember, it’s a moment. It will pass, and you will be in a new one before you know it. How you choose to react to that situation will dictate what your next moment will be like. You can shape your life the way you please—if you act instead of react. Choose your words, choose your actions, choose your future.”

  As I walked away from the podium I could hear the applause behind me. I could feel the eyes of the audience on me.

  At the back of the auditorium Max embraced me. “You did so good, sweetie.”

  “You’re a star, Mommy!” Abby hugged my arm and hung on.

  “Thanks, sweetie.” I tickled her belly, then took a seat beside them.

  “Do you want to go get that out of your hair?” Max glanced over at me.

  “No, I want to hear the other speakers. Besides, people probably just think it’s a barrette.”

  “I don’t think anyone is going to mistake that for a barrette. But it does have a bit of charm to it.” Max grinned.

  “What do you think, Abby? Does my hair look nice with your lollipop stuck in it?”

  “Pretty!” Abby giggled.

  “Pretty.” I laughed.

  Chapter 16

  Throughout the rest of the orientation I was impressed to witness the many different views of the speakers. It was nice to be in the audience for once instead of being the one doing all the talking. Near the end of the orientation Abby began to get restless. I took her hand and led her out of the auditorium to walk around, while Max recorded the rest of the orientation for me to watch later.

  As soon as we were out of the auditorium Abby wanted to run. I tried to keep her hand tight in mine but she wiggled free. I wondered sometimes if she was going to become an escape artist as an adult.

  “Abby, no running!” I ran after her.

  A few people milled around in the hallway but most were inside the auditorium.

  When I caught up with Abby she was staring up at a man who was quite tall.

  “Young lady, I think your mother is looking for you.” He smiled.

  “Mommy!” Abby flung herself against me and buried her head in my side.

  “I’m sorry, she’s a little wound up.”

  “I understand.” He chuckled. “I have grandchildren just like that. I enjoyed your speech.”

  “Oh you heard it?”

  “Yes. I had to come out and stretch my legs. These things can run so long it’s hard for me to stay in one seat. I think it’s important to consider that when you plan these events. Don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do. That and making sure you have comfortable chairs.”

  “Yes, that would be helpful.” He laughed. “I guess I’m so used to climbing steps every day that I have to be active.”

  “Oh? Why do you climb so many stairs?”

  “I work in a lighthouse.”

  “Do you turn on the lights?” Abby’s eyes widened.

  “No, I don’t. It’s all automated now. But I do keep an eye on it and maintain it. I love it.”

  “We saw a few lighthouses driving along the coast.”

  “This one is special because I’m there. I’m Basil, by the way.” He laughed. “You should come see it some time.” He handed me a card. “I’ll take you all the way to the top.”

  “Great, thanks. We’re only here for a few days but I’d love to check it out.”

  “Any time—I’ll be there.” He waved to Abby as he walked away.

  “Wouldn’t you like that, Abby? To be able to go all the way to the top of a lighthouse?”

  She giggled and nodded.

  I led her into a nearby restroom and got to work freeing the lollipop from my hair. With a little soap and water it came free and I tossed it into the trash. Of course this triggered a meltdown from Abby.

  “Try not to be so upset, Abby. You wouldn’t wa
nt to get a hairball, would you?”

  Abby blinked. “No.”

  “See, then you wouldn’t want that lollipop. It’s got lots of hair on it.”

  “Ew!” Abby groaned.

  “Ew is right.” I kissed her cheek. “No more lollipops in my hair, okay?”

  “Okay.” She hugged me and a rush of gratitude flooded through me.

  No matter what happened in my life, having the chance to be Abby’s mother filled me with amazement.

  On our way out the door Max met us in the hallway.

  “I was wondering where you two went. I see you got the lollipop out of your hair.”

  “It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”

  “Still sticky.” He grinned as he plucked a strand of my hair.

  “Luckily I didn’t get any in the hat. Speaking of which, I need to return this.”

  “There are some fans gathered near the front hall.”

  “Let’s go say hello. Maybe Mary Ellen will be there.”

  As we walked toward the front hall, I noticed quite a few groups of people in the hallways. Everyone had something to talk about. The orientation had been quite successful.

  Near the front doors about ten people seemed to be waiting for me. I smiled and shook hands with each one. It was still hard for me to believe that people went out of their way to meet me, but I was glad, because I enjoyed meeting each of them.

  “Thank you all for being here today. I really appreciate your support. Mary Ellen, here’s your hat back.” I held it out to her.

  “Oh no, I told you to keep it.”

  “I know, but you said it has sentimental value and I’d rather you have it back.”

  “I wore it to remember my sister. She wore it every time we would go for a walk together in the woods. She didn’t tolerate the sun well, so it shielded her. We were both supposed to attend today but she passed a week ago.”