“How big was her belly again?”
I answer the same as I always do. “The size of the sun.”
“Which is how you knew I was a boy.” He grins.
I nod. “Your mum always gave me exactly what I wanted.”
“She’s the best,” he states as he continues briskly walking toward the store.
“That she is.”
“I bet you can find another one, almost just like her.”
Last year’s wish was that I dated more so I could find someone to love so that he could spend more time with his friends. I hadn’t known he was carrying the burden of responsibility for my happiness.
That was when Faith began insisting he stay with her at least every other weekend if he wasn’t with one of his buddies. It wasn’t necessary, but it was good for both of us, I assume.
Nathaniel knows I date. On numerous occasions, he’s asked me to meet the women I’ve seen, and I’m always honest with him. I’ve met some nice women, but anyone he meets will have to be quite special, and thus far, no one has been special enough.
He tugs at my hand again. “Come on.”
Once we get there, he flings open the door to the Sweet Spot, and I watch a flash of auburn waves ducking into the back.
I can’t help but smirk, knowing damn well that the past two weeks after school, when we stop for Nathaniel’s after-school treat, it makes her incredibly uncomfortable. I’ve been watching her run into the back like her arse is on fire for two bloody weeks.
It shouldn’t rile me up, but it does.
Every. Fucking. Time.
Nellie smiles at me, her grin ear to ear. “Hey, Nate!” she exclaims, her eyes on me.
“Hi, Miss Nellie.” I rub Nathaniel’s back, thankful he’s so polite.
She walks close to us, bending down with her hands on her knees. “Halloween is coming. We’re hosting our first annual caramel apple contest this year. Are you excited?”
He nods.
“Do you know what you’re dressing up as this year?”
He looks up at me and grins, then back at her. “It’s a surprise.”
“I’m telling you, I could totally match up with you and your father.” She gives me a slow wink, the kind that is supposed to look sexy, but after all these years, it merely looks desperate. “He’s full of surprises.”
From the corner of my eye, I see another flash of red hair pass from one side of the back kitchen to the other.
Nathaniel finally chooses his snack. I try to delay leaving by looking at some new decoration in the front, but Red stays in the back. Again. Finally, we leave.
“Soccer ends in two days, Dad, then basketball starts. Are you sure you don’t mind if I play, even though you’re not coaching?” Nathaniel spits his toothpaste into the sink and continues brushing.
“As long as you don’t mind me attending every game and being one of those parents who yells from the bleachers.”
He gives me a side-eye, and I have to hold back a laugh.
He spits again. “You’d never do that.”
“I’ll attempt to hide my extreme enthusiasm for basketball, however, expect a full performance report at the end of the game.”
He grins.
“Finish brushing. I’ll meet you out there with a brand-new book.”
“Can’t we just start over with—”
Walking out, I call over my shoulder, “Not going to happen, Nathaniel. You have nearly memorized the entire series.”
“Have not,” he calls after me.
Rule Number Five
Never look back, always look ahead.
Nikki
The air is crisp, as expected for this time of year. Hell, we’ve already had our first dusting of snow, and thankfully it’s held off since. I’m hoping for all the parents and the kids in the area’s sake that the weather holds off until the last day of soccer, in two days, and past Halloween. Some children are still playing in the street, riding bikes, and racing, even though it’s getting dark. Their faces are red from exertion but sparked with happiness. I haven’t seen kids playing like this in years. They’re...free. No city bustle stopping them from playing, or constant noise from traffic.
I walk the few blocks from my aunt and uncle’s home, gripping the cell phone in my hand like a weapon, and cut through old Mr. Rooni’s yard like I’ve done thousands of times. Pushing through the fat green bushes, they are thornier than I remember. A stick pricks my side. Ouch.
I’m meeting Jenny at Blizzards Bar, and my hands are nearly freezing. I didn’t even think to bring my gloves. I stuff my cell back in my purse, wishing I