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I appreciated her enthusiasm, but it didn’t break me from my mood, especially since Sarah had been so quiet over the last thirty minutes. She was normally a quiet child, I’d noticed, more introverted, but I knew she was thinking about what had happened earlier.
Charles noticed, too, because he surprised her by sticking his spoon into her cone.
“Dad!” she protested, smiling.
“Well, you’re over there pouting, while your ice cream is melting everywhere.”
He wasn’t lying there.
Sarah licked the sides, cleaning up the chocolate dripping onto her fingertips.
Charles sighed. “What’s the matter, Sarah? I told you everything is going to be fine. If you’re worried about Jennifer bothering you tomorrow, it won’t happen. I’m expecting a call today, and I’ll make sure people are put in their places.”
And this was why I was really starting to adore Charles, even in the short period of time that I’d known him. His love and need for his kids to be safe and happy knew no bounds.
“I’m not scared of her, Dad.” Sarah’s tone turned incredulous.
“I didn’t say you were. I’m just wondering why you’re not enjoying your ice cream.” He turned to me then. “And you too. What’s up with the pout? I’m going to have to help you with yours soon too.”
I laughed because how could I not?
“Why can’t everyone just relax on school-work ditch day?”
“I’m sorry.” Sarah sighed. “It’s just … when I think of Jennifer, I get so mad. Ugh!”
“Me too, Sarah. Me too.” I lifted my hand, and she slapped it in a high five.
Charles threw me areal maturelook, but the aggravation I felt made me act petty.
“She doesn’t know how it feels to have your mom gone. So, for her to say that …” Sarah’s voice trailed off, and my stomach tightened.
I chomped more of my ice cream, thinking of how mean kids could be.
I’d experienced bullying at the highest level, kids making fun of my clothes because I couldn’t afford the latest trends, kids making fun of my druggie mom and her vices. Words did more damage than any physical punch could do. The group of girls who used to pick on me had uttered words to cut me down, only to build themselves up. As long as I had been the butt of their jokes, they’d remained the popular ones.
“She’s a jerk, okay? Plain and simple.” I leaned into the table, resting my elbows on the top “A bully will take every opportunity to try to take you down. Who knows why, but don’t let them. You have to think of the positives—that your mom was one hundred percent awesome and present in your life when she was here. You’re lucky, Sarah …” I said, taking a long moment to pause. I never liked sharing pieces of my past. Reliving my past kept me from moving on. But with Sarah, I felt a connection to her in this instant, so I allowed myself to share. “’Cause not everyone has a mom like you did. I’ll let you in on a little tidbit about me.” I leaned in closer, locking my eyes with her. “Your mother was more of a mother to you in the short time she was on this earth than my mom ever was. Just for the fact that she was present and here and loving you.”
Sarah visibly frowned. “Why? What happened to your mom?”
I didn’t want to trouble this sweet girl with my past. A lot of my history was incomprehensible—and too much emotional baggage for one child. I also didn’t want to reveal too much. Plus, no one needed to know about my messed-up history because if they did, people would dig into things I never wanted to discuss.
As I stared into Sarah’s eyes, I truly wanted her to know how lucky she was and to focus on the positives. The contrast of our mothers definitely showcased that, so I decided to share a little more of myself.
“Circumstances made her”—I didn’t know how to phrase my sentence without sounding bitter—“unavailable.” I almost coughed out a laugh. “She was always working.”Selling on the sidewas the real truth of it.
Sarah got up from her chair, surprising me, and when her arms wrapped around me, I stilled, aware of the flood of warmth in the center of my chest. “I’m sorry your mom wasn’t there for you. And you’re right; I’m not going to let what she said get me down.” Her arms tightened around me. “Thanks for sticking up for me today. It means a lot.”
Holy moly, wow. My free arm slowly wound around her back, bringing her closer. I tipped my chin, resting it on top of her head, taking in the scent of her apple shampoo.
From my periphery, I could see Charles was staring at us—this look of wonder, awe even.
My cheek pressed against the softness of her hair, and I let out a low breath. “I say, we go to her house and TP it or wear a scary mask and stalk her outside her window.” My tone was light, but crap, I meant every word.
The giggle that fell from Sarah’s lips lightened my insides.
“Before this conversation falls to the dark side, let’s go.” Charles tipped his chin toward the door. “We can head to the park or go home and watch a movie.”
“Or we can go to Jennifer O’Neal’s house,” Sarah piped up, wiggling out of my hands. Her eyes shone with an inner glow, a calm that hadn’t been there earlier, and I was glad that some of that ease had to do with me.
