Jay is what.
The aftereffect of being knocked unconscious was a niggling headache, but it wasn’t bad. Dark glasses helped.
She’d felt eyes on her when she arrived, most of them friendly, inquiring. They wanted to know where Jay was and what was happening between them.
Join the club.
She’d received a single text from him since he’d left, which she’d reread at least ten times. Clearly Dan had told him what happened the night someone had broken into his house. But Blue hadn’t replied because she didn’t know what to say, so she’d wait until he returned, and then they’d talk… hopefully.
In the days since he’d been gone, she’d designed Mrs. C.’s dress in between resting, and with Zoe’s help, created what she believed to be a good business plan to start a boutique inLyntacky. She’d design some pieces and bring others in. Online shopping would also be available.
There had been other jobs she could apply for in different cities, but with a baby on the way, she’d chosen to stay home, where she was supported. Plus there was Jay, in whatever capacity he ended up in her life, and she wanted him to have access to their child.
One realization had come clearer since he’d gone, and that was just how much she cared about him.
“Can I have the red ones, Blue?”
“Have at them,” she said holding the bag of M&M’s out to Ally who wore a lime green mask and pink tutu, with orange exercise leggings. Her shirt was white with neon splashes of color all over it. “What superhero are you?” Blue asked.
“Neon girl,” Ally said with her mouth full of candy. “Nana is the Biscuit Bandit, seeing as her biscuits are the best.”
Robyn Duke was farther along the bleachers, and on her head was a flat brown hat made from cardboard, which Blue guessed represented a biscuit. Her mask was yellow.
“When is Jay back?”
“Not sure, Ally.”
“You two are good together.”
This kid had grown up around adults, so she had no problem interacting with them or saying what was on her mind, like now.
Beside her were Libby, Birdie, Phoebe, and Jonathan—wearing a foam hat in the shape of a hand, and a candy pink eye mask. Below her were Meadow and Hamish, with Sadie between them dressed as Batman.
“Relationships are complicated, Ally, and this one more so because we’re going to have a baby. So we’ve kind of done things backward.”
“Yeah, Dad said that, but he also said you’ll work through it because you and Jay are meant to be,” Ally added.
“Did he? Well, that’s nice.”
“I think you should just make up,” she said with a child’s logic and simplicity in tackling situations that adults made complicated.
“Coming through,” a voice to her right said, thankfully distracting the kid from further comment on Jay and Blue’s relationship.
Nina, Cill, and Jessie from the Gnat were heading down the row below, carrying bags. They settled next to Blue’s parents. She then watched Nina lay down a blanket she pulled from one bag, which they sat on, and two tumblers, which she placed between her feet when she sat.
Cill had her youngest with her, and it was likely her other two kids were down at the playground to the side of the field.
“Go Leaders!” Cill roared, pumping a fist in the air.
Down on the field, her husband, Jed, waved back. As far as skilled players on the Leaders team went, Jed wasn’t one of them, but no one could doubt his enthusiasm.
Lyntacky had two baseball teams: the Lemon Levelers and the Lavender Leaders. The McAllisters and Dukes played for the Leaders, and the Kellers played for the Levelers, along with the Stanways.
It was fair to say there were a lot of debate and insults hurled when the teams were playing each other, which they were today. Blue was sitting this one out due to the concussion and pregnancy.
Jay usually played for the Leaders because he was an honorary Duke, as were Lynx and Finch, but they’d have someone else today, as he wasn’t back home yet.
Home. Blue had always thought of Lyntacky that way, but she’d never believed it would be where she’d end up. Now that had all changed.
