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We talk more about our men, our families, and our lives while we paint. It seems to take no time before we’re done. By that time, Savannah is awake.
“Oh! Mommy! I love it!”
“Don’t touch!” I warn right as she reaches out to touch the newly purple walls. “It’s still wet, buttercup. Are you hungry?” She nods. “Are y’all?” I ask the girls.
“Starving,” Meredith says.
“If you’re up for leaving the house, I know where we can go. It’s my favorite restaurant.”
Somehow, they managed to get no paint on their clothes, but it’s all over mine. “Let me change first. Savannah, go tell Lo-Lo that we’re going out to eat.”
She runs out of the room, shouting, “Lo-Lo!” I am quick to change and scrub off one streak of paint that managed to get on my forehead before we’re all hopping into my car with Lizzy telling me how to get to a restaurant called Bagels and Butts. The name causes Savannah to giggle every time she says it, which is often because Savannah keeps making her repeat herself.
It’s funny because after we order, our phones ring about a minute apart with calls from our men.
“Hey, babe. How’s painting?”
“Done unless it needs another coat. We’re at Lizzy’s favorite restaurant for dinner right now.”
“Lizzy? We’re?”
“Yeah, Lizzy and Meredith came to help me paint, so they, plus Logan and Savannah, are out with me.”
“Oh. That’s nice of them. Let me talk to Savannah real quick.”
“Okay.” I tap Savannah’s shoulder to get her attention. “Daddy wants to talk to you.”
Her eyes light up as her grabby little hands snatch the phone from me. “Daddy!” she yells.
“Inside voice,” I remind her. I love that he insists on talking to her, even though she’s the worst on the phone. Her attention span is terrible and sometimes it takes her forever to say something. He has way more patience with her than he’s ever had with me. When the waitress appears at our table with our food, Savannah hangs up with Ian. Guess I’ll talk to him later.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” Meredith asks Logan.
“Ah, just here and there.” Logan is still enjoying having fuck buddies and no-strings-attached sex. He does date if he finds someone he really likes, but that hasn’t happened in a while.
“What happened to your leg?” Lizzy asks.
“I was in a car accident. It’s been a big pain, but Savannah likes to draw on my cast, so I guess something good came from it.” His cast is very colorful, that’s for sure. He lets her go at it with markers whenever she asks.
That’s all the adult conversation we have because Savannah steals the show with her jibber-jabber. It’s nice to sit here with two new friends, Logan, and my daughter. I only wish Ian was here.
The end of our road trip is near. We’re in my home state with our last game of the trip tomorrow. Tomorrow is Savannah’s birthday, and I’ll be calling her to sing Happy Birthday to her, but today, I have to deal with my dad. Thanks to Sydney, I’ve been talking to him. Because of that, I got talked into meeting him today. If he wants to drive here, then fine. I don’t know if I’m prepared for this. Talking to him over the phone has been awkward. I’m sure seeing him in person is
going to be so much better.
Me: Miss you, gorgeous. Too late to bail on my dad?
Sydney: Yes. He’s not there yet? It’ll be fine, by the way. & I miss you too.
Me: Not yet. Savannah’s room all done?
Sydney: Almost! I’ll send pictures soon.
Me: He just got here. I’ll call you after.
I slip my phone into my back pocket as the hostess leads him to my table and he takes a seat. I could stand and hug him, but I don’t. I’m not feeling that friendly yet.
“You’re late,” I say once we’re alone.
