Page 83 of Holding Ground

I join them and nod at Gabrielle’s mom. “Melissa, how are you?”

“Good, good. Just dropping off this blueberry crisp to enter into the contest.” She nods at the Tupperware container in her hands.

“That yours or Gabrielle’s?”

“Oh, it’s my entry. Going to try my luck. Gabrielle didn’t want to make anything of her own.”

I don’t know Melissa well. She’s not from around here, and she and her husband only moved here a few years ago when he took a job at Lilith’s blueberry farm outside town.

Baylor takes off with Gabrielle, the two of them chasing each other around the large room.

“I heard that Baylor is entering something in the children’s division. Good for her.”

I shove my hands into my pockets. “Yeah, she made some muffins. We’ll see how she does.”

Melissa looks away from me for a beat and shifts her weight as though she’s uncomfortable. “Listen, Elliott, I’m glad we ran into each other. I heard that Baylor was upset about seeing Gabrielle and some of their other friends at the park a while back, and I just wanted to apologize. Leaving her out wasn’t intentional. It’s just some of the moms and I are friends and decided to get together, and…I don’t know, we just didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

I sigh. It’s not that I don’t get it on some level. The last thing I want to be a part of is some moms’ group, but I hate that my daughter is excluded just on the basis of not having a mother in her life. It’s hard enough growing up without your mom—I know that better than anyone—and being penalized for it, even without meaning to, still hurts.

I glance over my shoulder to make sure the girls aren’t within earshot. “It’s not that I don’t understand. I do. But maybe next time, I could drop her off and then come back and pick her up, if you ladies wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on her. That way, at least, she won’t feel excluded. And if not, I’ll stick around. I don’t want to see her left out because her mom isn’t in her life.”

Melissa’s face falls, and I can see that she feels horrible. She nods. “Absolutely. I’m sorry. I should have brought it up at the time. I don’t know, it’s just…”

I nod. “An awkward conversation. I get it.”

She gives me a small smile. “Thanks for understanding.”

“While we’re on the subject, there was another incident where all the girls were asking Baylor about her mom. I understand they’re just kids and don’t mean anything by it, but if you could maybe talk to Gabrielle about how not everyone’s family looks the same, and that that’s okay, I’d really appreciate it.” My attempt to keep my voice light doesn’t totally work, but I don’t really care at this point. I need to have this frank conversation with Baylor’s friends’ parents with the hopes it helps her in the future.

She blinks a few times and looks a little embarrassed before she nods. “Of course. I’ll make sure to talk to her about it.”

“Appreciate it. Thanks.” I turn and look over to where Baylor is now and find her and Gabrielle running back our way. “All right, kiddo, we have to go pick up the pizza I ordered.”

Baylor frowns and looks at her friend.

“I’m sure we’ll see you tomorrow when they announce all the winners,” Melissa says to her.

Baylor’s eyes light up. “Yay!”

The girls hug again while Melissa and I say our goodbyes, and I lead Baylor outside. The air is crisp when we step out of the community center doors, and the fallen leaves crunch under our feet as we make our way along the sidewalk.

Baylor skips ahead of me, singing some song she must have learned at school.

Without warning, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. It feels as though someone is watching us as we make our way to the truck, but when I glance around, I don’t spot anyone paying us any attention. I frown and lead Baylor into Slice of Life to pick up the pizza.

The entire drive home, Baylor talks about one thing or another, bouncing from one subject to the next without pausing. When we pull into the driveway, Emelia is making her way across the lawn with some of her clothes in her hands.

My little eagle eyes spots her when she gets out of the truck. “Daddy, what is Emelia doing?”

I leave the pizza in the truck and take Baylor’s hand. “C’mon, kiddo, I want to talk to you.”

My chest tightens, knowing this won’t be welcome to Baylor, but that’s exactly why it needs to happen. This is just a small step before Emelia leaves Echo Lake for good.

Emelia sees us as she comes back out of the bunkie, and her steps falter. I know she’s not looking forward to having this conversation, but again, that’s exactly why it needs to happen.

“Hey, guys.” She meets us in the middle of the backyard.

“What are you doing?” Baylor asks, frowning.