by C S Joseph
“I know. I was busy wrapping Zachary’s present. He has been asking for a new backpack before school starts. I also got us season tickets for the Winterhawks.”
Reese smiled. “Aiden, I’m grateful that you’re rebuilding your relationship with your son. I know he enjoys hockey with you. Those are very thoughtful gifts.”
“Give him a small break, Janice,” Reese said.
“I already did.” Janice patted Aiden on the back. “We agreed that when Olivia is old enough, she gets to be a season ticket holder as well.”
“I’d bring her now if I could.” He looked down at his bald infant. He looked back out to the field, just as Zachary smiled and waved at him excitedly. Aiden smiled back and gave Zachary a thumbs up.
“Oh, Reese!” Aiden pulled out a few papers from the diaper bag. “The guys started demo on the warehouses. They were cleaning out the old offices, and look what they found. I know you like old time architecture and stuff. They have a few photos of the building when it opened, and the architect is in the photos. Some guy named Arthur Dumbass.” He handed over the photos.
“Arthur Dumas. Not dumbass.”
“Whatever.”
“Aiden, did you know that Arthur built the Prineville house? His family lived there for a number of years.”
Aiden wasn’t very interested. He was looking out at the field. He mostly tuned her out but couldn’t help but overhear her talking to herself as she flipped through the photos.
“Arthur.” She had her finger on one of a group of men standing in front of the building. She flipped to the next photo, and it was the same guy looking into the camera. “Such sharp features and so thin and frail. He should have trimmed that nasty, scraggly beard.” That got Aiden’s attention. He looked down at the photo. The man’s nose was nearly a hook at the end, and his high cheekbones looked chiseled from stone. His eyes were nearly hollow. He did not look like a happy man. ”Tortured soul, I have no pity for you.” Reese was still muttering to herself.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“Oh nothing, I’m just creating ideas for a story. Thank you for these photos.” Reese tucked them into her purse.
Zachary pitched the entire nine innings, only giving up one home run and several singles. His team met him out on the mound at the end of the game, and all took turns high-fiving him. After the teams cleared the field, Zachary ran up to the four of them, who were standing at the entrance to the dugout. He immediately gave Julia a jumping high five. She leaned down, removed his hat, ruffled his hair, and placed the cap back on his head sideways. Reese smiled and rolled her eyes at the exchange. Aiden gave his eldest a hug.
“Julia, did you see me strike that guy out in the fifth inning? I used the slider, just like we practiced!”
“You did great, bud. You did a better job keeping your balance at release. You’ve been working really hard this year.” Julia held up her hand, and he jumped up and slapped it. She winced slightly, and Aiden smiled at his son’s strength.
“I see your hockey skills came in handy when you nearly took out the second baseman.” Aiden held out his fist. Zachary laughed and bumped fists with him.
Reese had been waiting for her turn. She bent down to give Zachary a hug. He smiled and quickly pulled away with a look around to see if any of his teammates saw his mom give him a hug. “Oh, you can give your dad a hug and not me?”
“He gave me a side hug, Mom. You always want to bear hug me for a week.”
He relented, rolled his eyes, and gave his mom a hug. Reese smiled contently. He looked over at his sister still in her seat. He unbuckled her and carefully picked her up. She smiled and cooed at him. Drew, the third baseman, approached, and Zachary asked Reese if he could go with his friend. Reese smiled and nodded at him. Aiden took the baby, and Zachary took off.
Olivia started crying. Aiden bounced her slightly, as the four of them continued their conversation. “She loves her big brother. He’s so good and patient with her. Back to what we were talking about before. His birthday is on a Wednesday. It’s our weekend with him, so he’s been planning a party,” Janice said. “With my help of course. You both are more than welcome to come.”
“Thank you, Janice. That’s very sweet. We have a party planned tomorrow afternoon, if you want to join.” Reese offered. Aiden was glad they were all playing nice, but he knew both couples had already discovered that having their own time with Zachary was better than sharing.
“Hey, babe. Olivia needs to be changed again. We should head home.” Aiden grabbed the car seat with his free hand and they said their good-byes.
†
Gathering their things, Reese called Zachary and he ran back over to join them. “Let’s get home. It’s movie night. You remember the Gremlins, right?” Julia and Zachary laughed.
Reese huffed. “Julia, that movie was horrible. You’re incorrigible sometimes.”
Still giggling, Zachary turned around and walked backward to face them. They were holding hands. “Mom, can we have grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner?”
“I will compromise on grilled cheese if we also have tomato soup.” Reese braced herself for an argument from both Julia and Zachary. When she didn’t get one, she smiled.
Zachary swung his arm and hit Julia’s side with his glove. “You’re it!”
With that declaration, he started running toward the car. Julia laughed. She let go of Reese’s hand and started running after Zachary. She was gaining ground, when he looked over his shoulder to laugh. Zachary tried to make his legs move faster. It was no use. She grabbed him around his waist and hoisted him up over her shoulder. “Nice try,” she said, as he squealed behind her. They got to the car and she set him down. Reese felt full of love as she watched the exchange. Julia looked up and smiled at her, “You comin’?”
Reese nodded. “Let’s go home.”
THE END
About the Authors
Kathleen Greyson and C. S. Joseph
Kathleen Greyson was raised in Northwestern Ohio but has lived in New York, California, and currently Arizona. As an architect, she has been designing and building buildings which fuels her creative and adventurous side. She enjoys writing, cooking and spending time with her daughter, friends, and family.
C.S. Joseph is an Arizona native. She splits her time between her career in Supply Chain Management and raising her two boys. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, and finding new adventures to embark upon with her loved ones and friends.
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Published by Affinity Rainbow Publications
A Division of Affinity eBook Press NZ LTD
Canterbury, New Zealand
Registered Company 2517228
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Epilogue
About the Authors
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