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Would Darragh notice things like this?
Keeping a smile plastered on my face, it widens seeing Sophie hop off the bus last, her blonde hair that I braided is a little disheveled from her busy school day.
“Hey, Sophie, do you want to come home with me and Avery?” Lucy jumps in, juggling her daughter’s gear before I even get a chance to say hello.
“Um.” Sophie looks at me.
“Hey, you.” I bend over and kiss her on the forehead. “We called your dad. It’s okay if you want to go.”
Sophie seems hesitant, and I don’t want to push her.
“Okay.” She gives a soft shrug.
“You sure?” I take her backpack and lunch bag.
“Yeah.”
“Where do you live?” I turn to Lucy, holding Sophie under my umbrella.
“Right there.” She points to a brown and tan Tudor across the street.
“Oh.” That seems simple enough, but my heart jolts. “Wait, you know about her allergy, right?”
“Yes, I do. Darragh informed me the first time we got our girlies together.”
“Do you have the house phone number in case there’s an issue?” I ask her, covering all the bases.
“Yep.” Lucy’s nails tap on her phone, like she’ll call Darragh again.
I smile while I dig inside Sophie’s school bag for the refilled EpiPen.
“I’ll be home if there’s an issue, Soph. Just call the house.”
“Use my phone.”
Taking pity on me, Sophie hands me her cell with a smile because even at seven she knows how embarrassing it is not to have a phone.
“That works.” Lucy smiles with victory. “I have Sophie’s number.”
Sophie pops open her own umbrella, a pink and white polka dot mini that matches her rainboots.
I lean in again and whisper to her, “If you want to come home, just call.” I wink.
“Okay.” She smiles, catching my meaning and likes the little secret code between her and me.
I like it, too. I’m bonding with her more every day.
I watch them cross the street and wait right there on the corner, the rain pelting me. I’ve given up staying completely dry with all the rain this place gets.
Sophie reaches Lucy’s front gate, her little face smiling over her shoulder, and I wave.
When she disappears into the house, I walk back to Darragh’s, but stand outside, shuddering. I held out all day, waiting for Sophie to get here.
Lucy has both Darragh’s and Sophie’s cell phone numbers, and figuring Sophie will be at her house for a couple of hours, I decide to surprise Darragh at the hospital and get the comfort I need.
Using Sophie’s cell, I order an Uber.
The driver pulls up, and I sigh in relief when it’s not that Russian.
