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So I get clean, get out of the shower, and get ready for work, pleased with how my day has gone up to now and prepared for whatever chaos might ensue tonight.
*
On Wednesday evening, I get off work and drive to the park.
I find Liv sitting on a shady bench in clear view of a bunch of playground equipment. Just before I can make my presence known to her, my name hits the air in one hell of a gleeful squeal.
I pick Rae out easily from among the other kids, because she’s running right at me.
“Hi!” I greet her with a grin and a wave. “Hi, Rae!”
She waves and grins, too, but she doesn’t stop at that. She dashes all the way up to me and flings a surprisingly fierce hug on me for how tiny she is.
“Whoa!” I exclaim with an exaggerated wobble. “What a big hug! Do I dare hug you back? I don’t want to be embarrassed by how weak I am compared to you!”
“Yes, yes, yes! I want a hug!” She opens an arm in Liv’s direction. “Annie, come hug with us!”
Her enthusiasm is infectious. I, too, extend an arm to Liv. “Yeah, Annie! Hug party!”
Although she’s smiling brightly, she shakes her head. “How about you hug each other for me?”
Disappointment flickers through me, but I don’t try to change her mind. I just kneel down to Rae’s level and give her a light squeeze. “Feeling better, kiddo? I heard you were sick.”
“Mmhmm!” As she steps back, she brushes some fluttery blonde hair out of her wide eyes. “Billy Tay—Ty—well, I don’t know his last name ‘cause he’s new at my school—he threw up at his desk the other day and he sits right by me, so I got sick, too. It wasnotfun. But Annie took really good care of me and I went to the doctor! Now I’m all better!”
I stand again and give her a thumbs-up. “That’s awesome. I’m sorry you felt so icky!”
She jumps up and down. “Yeah! I was scared I would get Annie sick, but I guess her body is too strong to get sick, ‘cause I threw up a lot one day and she never did even one time!”
I snort and send Liv a raised eyebrow. “Wow, are you immune to illness? I didn’t know I was friends with some kind of superhuman.”
She chuckles. “Uh oh, Rae, you’ve slipped up! Landon’s noticed your crazy kid strengthandmy remarkable health! Our secret superpowers aren’t so secret anymore!”
Rae and I laugh before, without warning, she turns and runs back to the playground.
“And she’s gone,” I announce.
“Yep,” Liv says.
I head over to the bench. “Can I sit with you?”
“Sure.” There’s plenty of room for me already, but she still scoots over. “I bet you’re tired from standing at work all day.”
“I got to chill for a little while this morning,” I say as I sit down, “but yeah, I’m almost always on my feet.”
“Mmm. Not too bad a day, then?”
“Not bad at all. I actually can’t think of one single stupid thing that happened.”
She smiles at me before she looks out to where Rae is. “Great.”
I’m glad she seems to be in a good mood. “How wasyourday?”
“Work was work. I always feel better once I’m off and I can pick up Rae and get home.”
“I believe it.”
“Yeah. And speaking of Rae and home: I have to warn you that she’s dying to color something with you while I cook dinner.”
