Page 4 of Crossed Lines

“Daddy, why do I have to eat broccoli?” She looks at her plate, where I’ve loaded a mountain of mac and cheese but also a few broccoli florets.

“Because you need something healthy,” I tell her.

Her little shoulders slump as she picks up her fork. “Fine.”

Sawyer laughs as he opens my fridge and pulls out two beers, handing one of them to me.

“Long day?” he asks after he gives me a once-over.

I nod as I take the beer and then turn on the TV for Jade to watch while she eats. I try not to allow too much screen time, but I’d say she’s earned it today. Or maybe I’ve earned it. We’ve been on the go all day, and I need a minute to decompress.

“It wasn’t too bad until just a few minutes ago,” I say.

“Why? What happened?” Sawyer takes a swig of his beer, and I hand him my phone to read the text I just got from Jade’s mom.

Gemma: Hey! Hate to ask this, but what are the chances you could keep Jade for the summer? Chris has an orientation in California this summer for his new job, and he asked me to go with him. He leaves on Monday.

Today is Saturday. She’s given me barely a full day’s notice. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jade more than anyone or anything on this planet, and I want this time with her; of course I do. But I also have a job. A job that is particularly busy in the summer. And I have no child care because I’ve never needed it before. I don’t even know how to look for a babysitter.

“Damn. What are you gonna do?” Sawyer asks.

I sigh. “I’m gonna say yes, of course.”

Gemma and I have a pretty good co-parenting relationship. We broke up when Jade was one, but we ended on good terms. We both knew it wasn’t working for us. She’s moved on and is engaged to a great guy named Chris. I’m happy for her. She always works with my schedule if I need to rearrange my time with Jade, and I do the same for her. Dare I say it’s been a breeze to co-parent up to this point.

“How do you even find a babysitter?” I ask Sawyer, not that I expect him to give me an actual answer.

“Hell if I know. What about your mom?”

I shake my head. “She’s working part-time at the craft store in town. Loves it there.”

“Good for her. Well, shit, man.”

I take another swig of beer and glance over at Jade. She’s smiling as she watches her favorite princess on the screen while she shovels mac and cheese into her mouth.

When I look back at Sawyer, he looks like he’s deep in thought. “You alright?” I ask.

“Yeah, I just… I just thought of something,” he says.

“What’s that?”

“Well, Willow’s back in town for the summer.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. You moved her back yesterday. How’d that go?”

“Good. Easy. But she told me this morning she’s looking for a summer job. Maybe she could be your nanny if you wanted?”

My eyebrows raise. “Really? You think she’d be up for it?”

“I don’t see why not. She was out all day today trying to find something, but nobody seems to be hiring. She was getting frustrated last time she texted me.”

I haven’t seen Willow Banks in the three years since she left for college. As far as I know, she hasn’t been back since the day she packed up her car and left. Sawyer talks about her all the time, though. He’s so proud of her. I hate that he had so much put on his shoulders at such a young age, but he did a good job raising her.

“Will you ask her for me? I’ll pay her good.”

“Yeah, man. I’ll ask her tonight and then text you.”

“Cool. Thanks. I really appreciate it.”