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Suddenly, her eyes flood with tears, and I find mine doing the same. She walks over and grabs my shoulders to pull me in for a tight hug.
"I'm sorry for calling you an ostrich and for yelling at you, Em. I just..."
"It's okay, Alisha. I know you meant well." I hug her tighter.
"Are you two done? I'm hungry."
Alisha and I laugh as we glance over at Charlotte and Bella, who are busy opening the basket.
"Oh, my God, you didn't!" Alisha squeaks as she peeks in the basket.
"I did," I return while grabbing three muffins from the picnic hamper. I hand the white chocolate and raspberry to Alisha, who licks her lips, looking at it. Bella sends me an air kiss when I hand over her favorite, an apple cinnamon muffin. The vanilla muffin with smarties is for Charlotte, who plucks a smarty from the top and drops it into her mouth. My hand reaches into the basket to pull out my favorite, a double dark chocolate muffin. When looking at the three individuals in front of me, I know I'm blessed to have these incredible women in my life.
"To family," I say, lifting my muffin in the air. Everybody raises their muffin, and we smile at each other.
"To family!" they echo.
We indulge by taking a bite of our favorite sweet treat, and the air fills with grunts of pleasure and delight.
“Last week I had the creative outburst I've been waiting for,” Bella explains between bites. “I've painted four nights in a row,” she says, with eyes beaming with excitement.
"You’re on a roll, girl." Alisha laughs.
“I’m diving into human emotions with these. It’s more abstract that what I’m used to, but it feels just right."
"Oh, you have to show us."
"Mom, can I go to the swing?"
"Sure, but don't go too high."
Without wasting a second, Charlotte runs off and jumps on the swing. When I turn back to face the girls, Alisha speaks.
"Emma, can I ask you a question that has to do with last weekend?"
"Please, Alisha, don't start this again," Bella pleads.
"It's okay, Bella." I give her a little wink. "One question, Alisha."
"Deal," she says with a grin. "Was I right about the chemistry between you and Nick?" she asks with a straight voice and a slight smile painted on her lips.
I sigh and close my eyes. "Yes, you were right. At least on my part,” I continue, as my cheeks turn pink again as I admit my feelings of attraction out loud. "But it freaks me out. I've never felt that before. Not even with Thomas."
Both girls stare at me.
"I'm afraid he doesn't feel the same or that it's an infatuation that will pass."
I turn to check on my sweet girl, but she’s left the swing. My eyes inspect the area around the playground. There are other children, but no Charlotte.
"Charlotte," I whisper.
I jump up and run towards the swings where she was just a few minutes ago. My heart pounds in my ears, and my eyes dart in all different directions, searching for her face.
"Charlotte, where are you?" I call.
My brain fires the most gruesome possibilities of what could have happened to my baby girl. My eyes tear up, and fear kicks in when I can't find her. Alisha and Bella stop next to me. Their faces have an alarmed expression.
"Charlotte!" I yell at the top of my lungs. As time passes, my chest tightens. My breathing is fast, and I swallow as I fight to stop tears from falling by reminding myself that I need my vision to be sharp.
