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“I heard Saul made meatloaf today,” TD says, referring to Frannie’s brother’s famous bacon-wrapped meatloaf. It’s a staple and the reason our Fridays are so busy.
“He did.”
“I missed it,” he tsks, shaking his head. “We had an ATV accident out at Bluff Preserves.”
“Everyone okay?”
“They will be. Driver has a broken leg, and the passenger a broken hand and gnarly arm contusions. Both were wearing helmets, fortunately.”
My hand instantly covers my heart. “From here?”
TD shakes his head. “No, tourists. Supposed to be here for three days. Unfortunately, they’ll be spending them at the hospital.”
Bluff Preserves National Park is a one-hundred forty-thousand-acre park for anyone who loves the outdoors. With snowmobiling in the winter and fishing and boating in the summer, it’s the perfect weekend getaway if that’s your thing. It’s part of the reason the diner is as busy as it is. While there’s cabins, campgrounds, and small houses around the lake, visitors often make their way into town for shopping, meals, and medical assistance.
“I’m glad they’re going to be okay.”
He watches me from across the table.
“Mom, can I go call Matt? We wanted to run through a few of the plays from practice tonight,” Brody says when the dirty dishes are stacked next to the sink.
“Of course,” I tell him.
Before he darts off to his bedroom to call his best friend, he pauses in the doorway and gives TD his attention. “Thanks for the ride home, Coach.”
“You’re welcome, Brody. I’ll see you at weightlifting in the morning.”
My son smiles. “I’ll be there.” Then, he’s gone, off to talk football with his closest friend.
“He seems ready for school to start,” TD says, taking a drink of his water and keeping his chocolate brown eyes locked on me.
“I think so. He’s excited for his senior year.” Even though I smile at the thought, my heart hammers a little harder in my chest.
How can my baby boy be a senior in high school already?
“Hard to believe,” he states. “It feels like he was just learning how to ride his bike in the back parking lot.”
I snort a laugh, recalling the particular birthday TD’s referring to. I rented one of the pavilions at the park for an end of June birthday party for an eager almost seven-year-old. I saved every tip I received for weeks to be able to purchase that Spider-Man bicycle, knowing it would be the highlight of his day.
Then, the brakes went out on my car, and I wrecked on my way to the big box store to make my purchase. There wasn’t a lot of damage, but it was enough. I had a choice to make. The bike my son had his heart set on or fix my car during the heat of summer. Considering I had to drive him to daycare every day, I knew my car was my priority. I cried and cried, hating the thought of letting my son down on his birthday.
Little did I know, TD, and our other friends, Hallie, Ava, and Logan, went in together and purchase Brody the Spider-Man bike he had his heart set on. Not only that, but they threw in a matching helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads too. As much as Brody wanted to ride that bike, he refused because all his little friends didn’t have a bike to ride at that moment. So, he waited patiently until we got home.
The moment we pulled into the parking lot, he asked TD and Logan to help him learn to ride that bike. For an hour, he rode circles around the lot of the diner, which was, thankfully, nearly empty. It turned out to be the best birthday he ever had, all smiles with a wide toothless grin, and I’ve never forgotten what they did for me and my son.
“It’s going so fast,” I concede, trying not to think about the fact I have a senior in high school. It hasn’t been easy, but Brody and I have been a team since day one. There have been plenty of missteps on my part, but I never gave up. Not one single second, even when the pressures of parenthood—and at a very young age—threatened to pull me under.
His large, warm hand reaches across the table and wraps around mine, causing my heartbeat to skip. “You’re doing an amazing job, El. Don’t ever doubt it. Not for one second.”
I gaze up into his dark eyes and feel a flood of emotions wash over me. No one can draw them out like TD can. Every uncertainty I’ve ever experienced when it comes to being a single mother is dashed away by the confident gleam in his eyes and the reassuring smile on his lips.
“Thank you,” I whisper, forcing a smile so I don’t cry. “I have a great tribe helping me.”
Throwing me a cheeky grin, he quips, “We are pretty awesome.”
A bubble of laughter slips from my lips easily and freely. “You all are. I couldn’t have done this without you all.”
“Bullshit. You could have and would have done whatever necessary, El. We’re all grateful to be along for the ride.”
