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“Call me anytime,” I say to Miss Olson, and with that, we bid each other goodbye.
I walk with Alissa through the school’s hallways, and as she leans her head over my shoulder, I say, “I understand Freddie upset you, but you shouldn’t throw things at people like that okay?”
“Okay, mommy,” she says, very serious.
I put her down when it’s time to go downstairs but hold Ali by the hand just to make sure she won’t trip.
“Are you going to apologize to him tomorrow?” I keep going.
Alissa sighs heavily and kicks her feet as we go down the steps. “He’s annoying mom!”
“I’m sure Miss Olson will have him apologize to you too,” I say, trying to reassure her.
“Okay, mom,” she sighs again, then drags me down by jumping over the last step.
“Ali, don’t do that!” I scold, but she only giggles. “Do you want some ice cream now?”
“Yes!” she looks at me, eager, but soon turns ahead and drags me to the parking lot. “Do you kiss Andrew, mommy?”
And it’s my turn to giggle, but mine are nervous, anticipating a tricky conversation ahead.
Chapter Nineteen
ANDREW
Ijust got back in town after a game. It’s after 10 PM and I’m standing outside, waiting for a certain someone to pick up the phone.
“Hi, Andrew,” Emily answers my silent plea. “It’s late.”
“Guess where I am?”
“No idea, Andrew. I’m trying to sleep. I have work tomorrow.”
“Does your room face the street?” I ask.
“Yeah, why?”
“Look through the window.”
The second-floor room on the left lights up, the curtains are pushed open, then the blinds come up.
She looks down in disbelief, while I’m down here standing in the front yard, bearing gifts. I am not emotionally prepared to be shunned away.
“What are you doing here?” she giggles into the phone.
“I needed to see you,” I say. “And Ali!”
“Shh!” Emily places a finger over her lips. “Everybody is in bed.”
I change my voice to a loud whisper. “Can I come in? Just for a few minutes?”
She pauses to think, and my heart wrenches at the thought of her turning me away.
“Oh, alright.” She nods. “I’ll open the door for you.”
Knowing I’ll be let in, I let the driver of the car I booked know he can leave. He nods and drives away.
Smiling ear to ear, I wait patiently for her, and soon enough she’s there for me, dressed adorably in her pink flannel pajamas and cat slippers.
