AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“All right,” I said. “I’ll meet you there.”
I finished getting dressed and pulled on my shoes before I hurried downstairs. Sean was already getting the kids lunch: sandwiches and chips. It was an easy lunch, and I smiled as he set their plates in front of them.
“Afraid of poisoning them?” I asked playfully.
“You’re hilarious.” He rolled his eyes and then scanned my outfit. “Are you going out?”
“Yeah, I’m meeting Janie for lunch,” I said. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course, you don’t have to ask.” He laughed. “Remember, it’s your day off. You could drive to Denver if you wanted.”
“Not likely,” I said. “Just lunch.”
“Have fun,” he said.
Tommy and Sarah waved goodbye as I made my way toward the front door. I thought about driving to Sal’s, but the weather was so nice that I decided to walk. It was only fifteen minutes away, and I enjoyed the silence and the summer breeze.
It surprised me how much I was enjoying being alone. I’d had so much fun with the kids lately that I never imagined taking a day for myself, but Sean was right. I really did need it. I leaned my head back and let the wind whip through my hair. When I made it to Sal’s, Janie was already there, sitting in at our usual table.
She jumped up to hug me when I walked over to her. We sat down and ordered our food, Janie already having my drink ready and waiting for me. I grinned and took a sip as she talked my ear off about her date last night.
“He was okay,” she said with a shrug. “But nothing special. I mean, he’s cute, but he doesn’t make my heart race, you know? I need my heart to race.”
“I totally understand,” I said, thinking about Sean and smiling to myself.
“What was that?” Janie demanded, pointing at my face.
“What was what?” I asked innocently.
“That little smile,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “You were totally thinking about sex, weren’t you?”
“No,” I said firmly. “Not exactly.”
“Uh huh,” she said, not believing me. “Then what?”
“Just Sean.” I shrugged. “I was just thinking about Sean.”
“What about him?” Janie asked, leaning across the table.
Our food arrived so I didn’t get a chance to answer. We ate and chatted about nothing important while my mind stayed focused on Sean. I wondered what he was doing, if the kids were fighting, or if they were giving him some peace and quiet so he could write. I knew they weren’t. They never did unless I distracted them. Still, I imagined he was having fun playing with them. It was rare that he got them all to himself anymore.
“You’re still thinking about him,” Janie said wisely. “Aren’t you?”
“I can’t help it,” I said with a sigh. “He’s amazing, Janie. I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful he’s been lately. I mean, just today, he insisted I take the day off because I work too hard. He told the kids not to wake me up this morning because he wanted to let me sleep in. He even tried to cook me breakfast, which was terrible, because he can’t cook, but still, how sweet is that? I mean, he’s just so caring and considerate. I’ve never known anyone who was like that.”
“Sounds like a dream come true,” Janie said. “But he is right. You do need a day off every once in a while. Watching those kids is your job, not your life.”
“I know,” I said. “But I love it. I really do. Tommy is reading so well now. He’s sped through the last two books I bought him, and he’s halfway through the third. He’ll be way ahead of the other kids when school starts back up. And Sarah, she’s a little nervous to start kindergarten, but I know she’s ready. She’s so smart and spunky, Janie. God, you would love her. Sometimes her little attitude reminds me of you.”
“How?” Janie laughed. “I have the attitude of a five-year-old?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “She has the attitude of a someone five times her age. She’s strong and brilliant, and she knows exactly what she wants. She picks fights with Tommy when she’s bored because she just can’t sit still. It’s all because she’s so smart that she doesn’t know what to do with herself. They’re both such amazing kids, Janie.”
“So, what about your goal to focus on opening your own daycare? What’s happening with that?”
“That hasn’t changed. It’s still in my plan. I just don’t have any idea how I’ll make it work, and for not I’ve got to get myself out of all the school debt.”
“Well I’m happy to see you so cheerful. I’ve never seen you like this about a job,” Janie said.
