by Cary Hart
“Yes, yes there are.” I can’t help but laugh. “But aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself? We won’t even be ready for you to paint for a couple weeks.”
“Not the pool house, the main house. Didn’t I tell you? I’m turning it into a bed and breakfast. It’s mostly in good shape and I think I can make it warm and inviting by changing up the color and staging the house to make it more appealing. Maybe do a little landscaping and...oh my. I’m so sorry. I’m rambling again.” Embarrassment takes over and she begins to fidget.
“I think it’s great. Sounds like you know what you want and are going after your dreams.”
What? Smooth, Williams, really smooth! I should be the one embarrassed.
“Yeah, I’m not really sure if it was a dream or not, but my grandmother recently passed and left me the house. With being recently divorced I needed to find a job and a place to live for me and my daughter.”
“I hate to say this, but it sounds like it came at just the right time.”
Classy, really classy.
“It’s fine. I thought that too. I mean, my grandmother lived a full life and all she wanted was for me to have a place to call my own. She was the one who dreamt of turning it into a B&B, I’m just the one who is carrying it out for her.”
“Sir? Do you have an order or not?” The kid behind the counter is at it again. This is the one time I don’t care if he tells me to go to the back of the line. Anything to talk to her some more.
Holding up my finger. “Give me just a minute.”
“No minute. I’m going on break and if you don’t give me your order now you will have to wait 30 minutes. My relief called in sick.”
What is it with kids and customer service nowadays? Seriously, just a damn minute is all I needed.
“Why don’t you go ahead and place your order. I have to get going anyways. I have a house to prep.” She gives me a little pat on the arm. “See you next week.” She walks away and I can’t help but wonder what if.
“Dude, seriously. I need to go on break.” The kid is now agitated with me.
Kids and their entitlements.
“Here.” I slam the paper on the counter. “I need everything on this list. My account and phone number are at the top. If you have any questions give me a call.” I dare him to stop me.
Running out the doors, I quickly scan the car lot. Jogging back and forth between the rows I look for anyone who resembles the one-shoed goddess.
Nothing.
Then out of nowhere, I catch site of her. At least I think it’s her. A black mini-van turns the corner and yep, there she is. I go for the waving-down method but she is either singing or talking on a Bluetooth and doesn’t notice me.
It’s now or never, Williams.
Not having a choice, I run up to the van when it slows down for the stop sign in front of the entrance. I hit the hood and she jumps. Her horn honks and something goes sailing through the air.
Crap!
“What in God’s green earth are you doing?”
“Seeing if you want to grab a drink.”
“I had a drink, but now it’s in my lap due to some lunatic running in front of me, scaring the bejesus out of me.”
“Well let me buy you a new one.” I’m secretly crossing my fingers and toes. Something about this woman has me all up in arms.
“Sorry, I’ll have to pass. I have some work to get done before my daughter comes home. Maybe some other time?” She waves, pulling off, and once again I’m left wondering what it is about this chick that makes me so damn crazy.
Aubrey
DOUG WAS SUPPOSED TO keep Reece until Monday night, but something came up, as usual, and he had to head out of town for an early Monday business meeting. Normally I would have believed him, but after what Niki told me, I’m beginning to doubt everything he ever said to me.
I just can’t wrap my ahead around what changed from Saturday to today. It all seems a little fishy to me, but that’s for another day. Reece is taking this hard and needs me.
“Mommy,” Reece, who has joined me in bed, rolls over and asks, “Why did you and Daddy have to get a divorce?” Her bottom lip begins to quiver. “I miss my family.”
Shattered.
How do you begin to answer that? My heart is breaking for my little girl who is getting caught in the crossfire of freedom.
Since separating we have passed Reece back and forth, when convenient rather than planned. Never being prepared, she is uprooted when someone has a meeting or the sitter is sick. We always continued to help each other out when it fit the other’s needs and now...now it’s a scheduled visit, court ordered. She knew this was her weekend with her daddy and now it was cut short, the promises broken and plans rescheduled.
Trying not to break down, I take a deep breath and try to explain it the best I can.
“Baby girl, we are a family and nothing in this world can take that away from us.” Sitting up I pull her over to me and settle her on my lap. “I’m still your mom and your daddy is still your daddy. Nothing and no one will ever take that away.”
“Then why don’t we live together anymore? Why did we have to move?” Her eyes search mine, looking for a way to make it better.
“Well, you know how Mommy and Daddy used to argue with each other all the time?”
She nods.
“That is not how mommies and daddies should talk to each other.”
“Can’t you go to a doctor or something? Gracie, from my kindergarten class, you remember her don’t you? She would always wear those big glittery bows.” She scrunches her nose up. Reece is not a girly girl and the one thing she dislikes more than dresses is big, poofy, blinged-out bows.
“Yes, I think I do. I think I recall you wanting one.” I tap her nose, “Just. Like. Hers.”
“Ewe! No, Mommy.”
“I must have been mistaken,” I smile. “Now what did Gracie tell you?”
“She told me one time, at lunch, that her mommy and daddy went to a doctor and they got better. I want you to get better Mommy.” She places her palm on the side of my face. “Can you call her mommy and go see her doctor?”
“Baby girl, I wish it was that simple.”
I contemplate telling her all the times we went to counseling, the compromises we made to keep our marriage together. The truth of it is, you can’t be happy in a marriage when you aren’t happy with yourself.
“Can’t you do what you tell me?” She takes her tiny little finger and taps the side of her head. “Stop overthinking it.”
I brush the dark curls that freed themselves from her ponytail away from her face.
“Honey, I know it’s hard to understand and you’re hurting, but—”
“Butts are never good Mommy, butts stink.” She waves her hand in front of her face.
“Yes, butts can stink.” I smile, wondering what I ever did to deserve a blessing as great as her.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, baby.”
“I’m sad.”
“I know honey, I’m sad too, but the three of us will get through this together as a family.”
“We will?”
“Yes, we will. Your daddy and I love you so much and what we want more than anything is for you to be happy.”
“I love you, Mommy.” She reaches up, wraps her tiny arms around my neck and pulls me in for a hug, reassuring me when I should be the one comforting her.
“I love you too, baby girl.” I squeeze her back.
“Can we go to the park today?” she whispers in my ear.
Pulling back I reply, “How about the park and...ICE CREAM!” I shout, tickling her silly. Her giggles make everything seem a little better.
“PUTTTTTER...SAVE ME!” she yells for the dog.
Oh no!
As he barrels down the hall you can hear him picking up speed. Before we know what is happening the dog is on the bed licking and slobbering on both of us.
“Putter saved me Mommy. Isn’t he the best doggy in the
world?” She coos and Putter rolls over, basking in her attention.
“Something like that. Now let’s go get ready. We have a date for the park!”
Jumping out of the bed, she dances down the hall to the shower singing, “We are going to the par-ark and we are going to get some ice-cream. We are going to have fu-un.”
I know this isn’t the end, that we will have plenty more talks like this, but right now, the only thing I can do is reassure her that she is loved.
With Doug, going to the park as a family was a huge production. Reece and I would pack the picnic while he mapped out which park we would go to, if we were doing the trails and if we did how long we would walk them. Being the accountant he is, it was always about time.
Everything was calculated, which to some would be a godsend, but to me it was work. If we fell off schedule or threw in something that wasn’t planned, Doug’s emotions would start to flare.
But this Sunday afternoon is different. I don’t have to worry about covering up a mood or keep to a schedule. Today Reece is simply going to play and I’m going to try and finish this novel I have been trying to finish for a week and then we’ll get ice cream.
“Mommy! There’s one!” Reece is bouncing in her seat, proud of the parking spot she just found.
“Good job, baby girl.”
I’ve barely put the van in park and Reece is out and halfway to the playground equipment.
“REECE! WAIT UP!” I shout.
The park isn’t as busy as it normally is, but to a mom that doesn’t mean anything. Parks are prime target areas for pervy predators, putting this momma on high alert. Scanning the vicinity, I check the surroundings for anything that seems out of place.
All clear.
I come across one lone bench under the perfect shade tree.
BINGO!
“Mommy, can I go to the swings?” She shields her face from the hot sun beaming down.
“No baby, play here for a little while.”
Reece would bounce from area to area if she could or until she found a new friend to play with. I glance around looking for someone her age. No luck.
“But, Mommy, I have no friends to play with.” She stretches her arms wide, making the moment a little more dramatic than it is.
“Give it time, we just got here.” I tap my Fit Bit, bringing it to life, the time flashing for both of us to see. “Looky here, it’s only been five minutes and I’m willing to bet in 10 minutes or less you will have a friend to play with.”
She turns on her heel with a huff, knowing if she puts up too much of a fight we won’t be getting ice cream. Not saying a word, she stomps over to stairs of the slide and sits down, hands on knees, sulking. This is going to be one long day if this is the mood she is going to be in. Lord, please let her find a friend.
Keeping one eye on her, I dig around for my phone to hopefully finish the book, “Fifteen Weekends.” It’s about three women and how their lives change over the course of one summer. It’s passionate and full of love and friendship — exactly the type of book I need right now.
“What the hell?” I mutter to myself as I flip through my cloud and find nothing but erotica books. Niki! Swiping up frantically I search it for anything that resembles something I would want to read, but find nothing. It’s all gone. Damn it! This is the problem when you share an account with your bestie.
It is one thing to mess with one’s phone, it’s another to mess with her books.
Me: Where are my books?
Niki: Geez... someone didn’t have their coffee today.
Me: I’ve had plenty of coffee. where are my books?
Niki: Oh... those?
Me: ????????
Niki: I thought you could use something something at night or the day...whichever floats your boat.
Me: MY GOD!
Niki: Come on, A. You need a little something spicy in your life. This with your vibrator should do the trick.
Me: I don’t have a vibrator.
Niki: *smacks forehead* Seriously? It’s in your nightstand.
Me: I don’t have a vibrator there.
Niki: Yes you do. Right by your Bible.
Me: OMG! NIKI!
Niki: You can thank me later! Just consider it a Divorce Day gift.
Me: UGH! Something is wrong with you.
Niki: Just trust me. You will thank me later.
Me: TTYL.
Niki: Peace out!
Me: *middle finger*
Niki: *middle finger*
So much for finishing the book. I tuck the phone back into my purse and scan the area to see if Reece is still pouting on the stairs.
Oh shit!
“Reece!” Throwing everything down, I rush over to her side and drop to my knees to examine her. “Don’t move, baby girl.”
“Mommy, my arm.” She sobs, rocking back and forth holding her elbow.
“Let Mommy look baby.” I pry her hand away from her elbow to examine the injury.
“Daddy, Daddy, here she is.” I hear a little girl approaching, “Reeses, my daddy is here. He has Band-Aids.”
“Mommy, do I need a Band-Aid?”
“Ewe, Reeses, you’re bleeding.” This little stranger makes a face. “We have Frozen, Minions and Transformers. Which one do you want?” She turns around to holler at her dad and that is when I see him.
It can’t be.
“Daddy! Hurry!” she calls out.
“I’m coming, Andie.” Drew jogs across the trail that separates the playground from the parking lot. “Aubrey?”
“Drew.” I’m paralyzed, uncertain why he is here.
“Transformers. Cause they are cool.” Reece breaks me from my trance.
“Uh, I-I...” I’m unsure of what I had been doing.
“Here.” He kneels down next to us, taking control. “First we need to clean this. Honey, I’m just going to spray this on here.”
“NO! It’ll burn!” She bolts up and into my arms.
“No, honey, it won’t. It’ll tickle you with bubbles,” he tries to reassure her.
“Baby girl, he’s right. Just a little tickle and then it is clean, like magic!”
“O-OK. I guess,” Reece agrees.
“One, two, three, spray.” He gives the wound a few sprays. “See? Like your mom said. Magic!”
“Reeses, it has to dry before we put the Band-Aid on, right Daddy?”
“Yes, munchkin, you’re right.” Drew confirms.
“Mommy?” Reece grabs my attention from watching the interaction between father and daughter.
“Yes, baby girl.”
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“Well, right about two things.”
“What’s that?”
“That I would make a friend and the monkey bars are dangerous.”
“How about we avoid the monkey bars for a while?” I ask, hoping this little incident finally convinces her.
“Andie,” Reece looks over to her new friend, “no more monkey bars today. My mom says it’s dangerous.”
“Your mom is right, Reeses is it?” Drew confirms, supporting my comment.
“No Daddy.” His daughter giggles. “It’s Reece, but I call her Reeses because Reese’s peanut butter cups are my favorite and we are BFFs now. Right Reece?”
“Right Andie! Forever and ever!”
“Well, then. I think I should get to know all Andie’s BFFs.” His smile widens, holding the laughter at bay.
“Daddy, she is my ONLY BFF!” Andie corrects her dad.
“Correction, I think I should get to know her one and only BFF.” He holds his hand out to Reece. “I’m Drew Williams, Andie’s dad.”
Reece looks to me and back to Drew, “Hi Mr. Williams, thank you for helping me.”
“No problem, sweetie, but call me Drew.”
“Thank you, Drew.” She reaches out to take his hand. “This here,” she jabs her thumb over her shoulder at me, “this is my mom, Aubrey Harris. Her and my dad are
divorced, but we are still a family. Right Mommy?”
This is one of those moments when you question yourself as a parent. Did I say the right thing? Am I confusing her? Instead I just nod and agree. “Yes baby girl, forever and always.”
“Go ahead, Mommy, shake Drew’s hand. It’s the polite thing to do and shake Andie’s hand too. She is super nice and made me her best friend.”
Following orders we finish up the introductions.
“Mommy, is it time for ice cream?” Reece jumps up as if nothing happened.
“Daddy, they are going for ice cream. Can we go? Please, I’ve been good.” Andie begs.
“Andie, remember what I said, you don’t invite yourself, you wait to be invited.” He smirks, waiting for my response.
“Pa-leeease, mommy?” Reece secures herself to my leg, looking up to me. “She’s my bestie.”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
“YES!” both girls shout in unison.
“JINX!” Giggling they hold hands and skip off to the parking lot.
Drew jumps to his feet, stretching out his hand to help me up. “Hmm.”
“What?” I accept his offer, stand up and brush off my backside. “Third time’s a charm.” I walk over to the bench, snatching my purse up off the ground. “Last one to the parking lot buys!” I take off in a sprint.
Excited.
Aubrey
BEFORE WE LEFT THE park, I sent Doug a text with a picture of Reece and her Transformer Band-Aid, letting him know that Reece fell off the monkey bars, but was doing fine. We agreed in order to make this arrangement work we had to communicate. Something we both lacked while married. Funny how that works.
After pulling into the Dream Cream lot, we wait for Drew and his daughter.
“Mommy, can we go in to get a table? What if they are packed?” She strains her neck to try to look inside. “They look busy. What if the kids took all their quarters and we can’t play any games? I want to show Andie the games.”
“Baby girl, calm down. They are right behind us. They got stuck at the stop light.”
“But what if the quarters are gone? We need quarters to play all the games.” She’s restless, moving around in her seat, not sure if she should look out the back window for Andie or the front to watch the patrons coming in and out of the ice cream parlor.