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I unfolded the tarp Liam had given me and pulled it over the cutouts. The school day would be over in about an hour, and students weren’t supposed to see it yet. The boys would have to wait two more days to get a peek at it, even if I was itching to show it to them as soon as school was over.
But I’d refrain. I placed the school-provided sandbags around one side to keep it secure overnight. Wiping my hands on my pants, I stood up, ready to pull the tarp over to the other side and cover the golf course completely, only to bump into a perky nose and long eyelashes.
“Oh, did I give you a startle?” Adeline straightened.
Who talks like that? Did I give you a startle?
Yeah, you and your pointy boobs and snobby accent startle me every time I see them.
I sucked in a deep breath. “Nope. Just didn’t know you were there.”
She smiled, and where one would expect to see grumpy old troll teeth, I found nothing but perfect pearly whites. Adeline popped up on her toes and peered over my shoulder, making an ungenuine aww expression.
“What a humble little golf course! I am so impressed. Especially since it was just thrown together. Seriously, well done. Try not to take any losses too hard. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been being forced to work with your ex-husband on this.”
Humble little golf course. I was about to give her a humble little punch to the throat. Thrown together, psh. I would not let countless hours of cutting, forming, painting, assembling be diminished by an insignificant almost-stranger.
Liam and I had worked hard on this. And we hadn’t killed each other in the process. Quite the opposite, actually.
No matter her opinion, or even the opinions of the judges, no matter if Liam and I could have another chance, I’d put my best foot forward for my sons. And I was really, really proud of that.
You know when, in the heat of the moment, you’re all hyped up for a big event, but then the day comes, and you consider making yourself throw up just so you don’t have to go? That was precisely how I felt about showing up at the seven a.m. time slot I’d volunteered for the following day. I’d been enlisted to help set up the concession stand, but suddenly, I thought maybe I was coming down with an illness that would leave me bedridden for the next thirty-six hours.
It was likely Adeline’s trash talking and the Diet Coke I chugged after it that had really gotten my engine revved up. In what world did I honestly think I would enjoy this?
“Mom, you look really tired.”
And leave it to my son to put the cherry on top.
I sipped coffee from my travel mug as I slowed in front of the school. “I am, Dal. Thanks for that.”
He shrugged. “Thought you should know.”
Kids. At least they keep us humble.
“Hey, Mom. Dad hasn’t called you, right?” Miles asked, ducking his chin. It was his tell. Something was up.
“Um, no?” I parked in the guest parking lot and turned to face him. “Why?”
Part of me was disappointed that I hadn’t heard from Liam last night, but the logical side knew that wasn’t reasonable. I’d told him I needed time, and I did. Or I thought I did. And the man was honoring my wishes. But I’d filled the time he’d given me with overthinking every wonderful, disastrous, reckless, incredible thing that could happen if we tried again.
“Was just wondering. No reason,” Dallas answered for Miles.
Now they were both avoiding eye contact as they raced to put their backpacks on and hop out of the car. That could only mean they’d gotten in trouble with Liam and were hoping he wouldn’t bring me into the issue.
I hummed to myself in the silent car. I’d have to figure that part out later.
As I walked across the parking lot, the boys ran in the opposite direction and joined a group of their friends. They made wild gestures with their hands like they were telling a story, or maybe recreating a battle from Call of Duty. Honestly, I didn’t have a clue. I smiled to myself, incredibly grateful that they had each other.
They’d always been good kids. Even as babies, they were happy. They rarely got into trouble, minus the whole running away; wait, just kidding, I’m in the bedroom situation. Even when Miles struggled with not talking over me or Dallas with grades, they were the bright spot in my life. Sweet, honest, kind, brave. Everything I’d prayed for was what I’d been given.
Which made me even more excited to finally unveil our setup for the festival tomorrow. It was silly to get this pumped over a kids’ event, but one of the greatest parts about being a parent was watching one’s kids witness something for the first time. It was like living a whole other second life. Seeing the world through their innocent, wondrous eyes.
As we grow older, the colors dull. The vibrant reds and yellows from that time at Disney when they were toddlers and they screamed over Mickey Mouse had faded. But the boost in my serotonin levels was the same. When they were happy, I could still feel the immense joy coming from them. And each time was the perfect reminder of why I did what I was doing. Because they were worthy of it.
I turned the corner toward the concessions, where a few parents and teachers stood, and headed toward Kim.
“Hey.” I stopped by her. “Where do you need me?”
