Page 63 of Crossed Lines

As I walk to my bedroom, I hear them talking about what we should do today. I take a quick shower to rinse off the horse smell because even though I was only at the stables for an hour, I’ve learned over the years that the smell can cling to you no matter how long you’re around the horses.

I get dressed in my nice jeans and a clean shirt before I meet the girls back in the kitchen. Willow is doing the dishes while Jade is sitting in her chair finishing her juice.

“So, what are we doing today?” I ask.

“Shopping!” Jade exclaims.

Willow laughs and clarifies, “School supply shopping. Since Jade starts school next week, we need to go grab the things that she’ll need. Then we were going to go to Blue’s to get the extra-large banana split that I promised Jade we would share before I leave.”

“Well, alright, let’s get going.”

Jade quickly changes out of her pajamas, and Willow does her hair, pulling it back into a perfect French braid, something I have yet to master, no matter how many videos I watch. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing these two get along so well together. Jade looks at Willow like she hung the moon, and Willow looks at Jade like she loves her like she’s her own. It makes my heart swell and my brain think of what could be if Willow does come back.

Willow picks the music in the truck as we make the drive to the next town over to the Walmart. The girls go crazy picking out school supplies, starting with a brand new backpack and ending with a bunch of sparkly folders covered in characters I’ve never seen. But Jade is happy with everything they pick out, so of course I’ll be paying for it.

“I think Jade needs a few back-to-school outfits,” Willow says once they’re done with the supplies.

“I think so too!” Jade agrees.

I chuckle and push the cart in the direction of the little girls’ section. I’m sure Gemma will be buying Jade a ton of new outfits when she gets back, but I’m not going to deny my girls anything. The two of them go through every rack until they’ve picked out three outfits. Jade loves each one of them, and Willow makes me promise to send her pictures of Jade wearing each outfit once she’s back to school.

It’s another painful reminder that I won’t get to see Willow’s smiling face every day.

After our successful shopping trip, we head back to Blue Haven and grab a booth at Blue’s Diner. Jade insists Willow sits next to her, so I sit by myself on the other side. It’s perfect because I get to see them both.

“What can I get y’all today?” the server asks when she stops at the table.

“I’m going to be getting the Blue’s burger, but I think the ladies are foregoing actual food and moving straight to dessert today.”

Willow smiles. “We’d like the extra-large banana split, please. Two spoons.”

The server laughs but writes it on her small pad of paper.

“You two are gonna have a stomachache this afternoon,” I tell them.

“Nah, we got this,” Willow says, nudging Jade’s shoulder with her own.

The excitement on Jade’s face doubles when the server sets the giant ice cream sundae down in front of them. I make sure to snap a picture before they start eating. I have a feeling we’re all going to want to remember this day.

They dig in. I have no idea how many scoops of ice cream are on the thing, but to my complete surprise, they actually finish it. Jade looks a little queasy at the end, but she powers through.

“I cannot believe you two ate that whole dang thing,” I tell them.

“I can’t believe you doubted us. We’re the dream team, aren’t we, Jade?”

“We are!” Jade agrees.

“Well, Jadey, you aren’t having any more sugar for the rest of the day,” I say. “Maybe for the rest of the week.”

“Yeah, I’m ok with that.” I’m surprised it was that easy. But I guess now we know she does actually have a limit to how much sugar she wants to eat.

I pay the bill, and then we head to the library. The girls have been coming here all summer, but I can’t even remember the last time I stepped inside. Probably high school.

Jade returns the library books she currently has, and they browse the aisles to grab a few more to bring home.

“Daddy, can we go bowling?” Jade asks after she’s checked out her new books.

I look over at Willow to make sure she’s ok with it before I answer. Willow smiles and nods, so I say, “Yeah, kiddo, whatever you want.”