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Landon: YOU HAVE ME.
I stare at my screen, alone in bed with those words from Landon. And I wonder…Do I?
I haven’t had you for six years; they have.
The next weekend
Lace, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you’re sorry, but he’s going to be so disappointed. He’s been looking forward to this for two weeks.”
“I know. I feel bad. I didn’t even remember I agreed to this. It was so long ago. With Bree, Jackson, work, and us, things have been sort of crazy. I’m truly sorry. I’ll talk to Jacob.”
“That’s all right. I’ll do it. I’ll take him out for ice cream. We’ll go to the garage to visit Shay and the guys.”
“I swear I’ll make it up to him.”
“Okay. Where did you say you were going again?”
“Her parents are having a small dinner party with her sister and brother. I actually get along really well with her family. They don’t know yet about our split. I’m going to drive there for the day with Jackson and her. We will tell her parents about the divorce before we leave.”
Jacob didn’t get his guy weekend. He was very disappointed. He was so looking forward to spending time alone with Landon, a chance to feel like he was special because this man was spending time with him, giving him his undivided attention for a little while. Then it didn’t happen. Sadly, I knew exactly how he felt.
This weekend didn’t work out the way he wanted to, but he bounced back after ice cream and spending the day being mechanic’s helper with the guys and Shay at the shop. He really was my little grease monkey. He was covered with it when we left the garage. He was happy; that’s all that matters.
I had to work on Sunday, so I decided to leave work early on Monday to surprise him by picking him up from school. The first person I see is Jackson, running with two boys, but I don’t see Jacob with him. Usually, once I spot one, I will see the other not far behind. Walking closer, I call him over.
“Hi, Jackson.” He screeches to a halt in front of me, out of breath, smiling.
“Hi, Jacob’s mom.”
“Where is Jacob? He’s not playing with you today?”
“No. He’s over there.” He points across the way.
He is all the way across the yard, playing with a little girl and boy, not with his best friend as usual. I guess things with them haven’t bounced back like I thought they would by now. “Thank you.”
I’ll have a talk with Landon and see what we can do to make sure their close friendship stays intact despite all the grown-up stuff going on around them. Relationships are hard to manage, especially when they involve kids, but if it weren’t for these kids there would be no Landon and me again. I’m reminded of his weekend away, and wonder how it went. I know Landon would tell me if I asked, but things are different from a child’s perspective, and they’re most often brutally honest.
“How was your weekend with your grandparents, Jackson?”
“It was a lot of fun. We got to spend an extra day. We all went to the park and had a picnic. Aunt Heather, Uncle Bobby, and all my cousins—a family reunion, Grandma called it.”
“That sounds exciting.” I try to sound excited, him being obviously over the moon about the family reunion weekend that was only supposed to be a day. No mention of family reunion to me when Landon explained. “Was there a dinner at the family reunion?”
“It was a big dinner. Grandpa and Grandma’s anniversary. That wasn’t as fun. It was a lot of grown-ups. We had to dress up; I don’t like ties. Everyone danced, even mom and dad.”
Danced? On a broken ankle? “How did they do that with your mom’s hurt ankle?”
“My dad held her in his arms, and everyone cheered and laughed and said we were a beautiful family. My mom and dad are together, and he’s not leaving us.” He smiles up at me, eyes bright, like a shiny new penny.
Beautiful indeed. I feel sick. He lied to me. He lied.
His friends call his name, and he looks over at them. I’m done. I don’t need to hear any more, so I let him run off to play with his friends. I turn around, crushed, and get Jacob. Walking back to my car, I see his teacher talking with two of the other moms. As if this couldn’t get any worse, she waves me over. I notice at the same time she’s waving at the person I don’t want to see right now. I tell Jacob to wait in the jeep for me and buckle up.
“Lacey, it’s nice to see you. I was telling the moms about the great report you and Landon did with the boys. Maybe they could have you help them on the PTA, if you had time?”
The moms look at me and smile as Landon joins the group with Jackson, greeting everyone and smiling at me. Thank goodness, it’s not the same ones who ambushed me.
