Page 34 of Chalk It Up

August

The next couple of weeks fall into a comfortable routine. Me and the guys go to the school to put the finishing touches on the Christmas set since it’s almost time for the program. At this point, I’d rather be spending time working on the set and hopefully stealing glances of my girls than out in the trees like usual.

Evie has been at our house most nights, fitting perfectly into our routine of dinner, clean up, tutoring, leaving me and Addie to her bed time routine, and then mine and Evie’s time on the porch like right now. I feel like a teenager each night that I get to spend with her. Not caring how tired I’ll be in the morning, and like there’s a sunrise navigating over my heart with each moment we share.

We sit in our usual spot on the steps of my porch, Evie’s head is in my lap while I gently play with her hair. I think this position might be our most favorite together.

“I need to warn you about something.” We do talk about heavy things during our time on the porch, but I pulled this one slightly out of left field on her since we were just discussing what each of our dogs would talk about if they had the ability. Evie peeks up at me with concern fixed all across her face. “Larissa is going to be here, I believe sometime in the next week or so.” Thankfully she doesn’t sit up at this news so it must not concern her too much.

“Okay, yeah.” She stubbles adorably over her words. “Yeah, she was going to have to come here eventually right? Does she ever come to visit Addie? I don’t think I’ve seen her around before.”

Larissa left before Evie moved into town so there’s no way she would even know what she looks like to have seen her around before. The only context clues she would have are the features that Addie has that look nothing like my own.

“She doesn’t come to visit Addie as much as a normal, loving mom would but neither of those are characteristics I would apply to Larissa. She only comes when there’s something she feels she can gain from it or she needs to get some work done around town. Right now she said she wants to negotiate custody terms for Addie which makes no sense.” Evie bolts up and spins to look at me, and I immensely miss her warmth on my thighs.

“She can’t take her right? Won't the court see that she doesn’t put it any effort and you go far above and beyond for her? That has to mean something right?” Evie is in full panic mode. I feel bad bringing it up, but if she and I are in this for the long haul then Larissa is something we’re sadly going to have to deal with together for at least the next ten or so years.

“Yeah the court will definitely see all that. Genuinely, I’m not concerned about her seeking negotiation, I just don’t see where it’s coming from. She usually pops in one week during each summer to spend time with Addie like she’s marking our daughter off on her to-do list in order to placate her selfish conscience.” Evie seems to relax a bit with that information because she settles herself into my side under my arm and rests her head on my shoulder.

“So what do we do when she gets here? Do we be upfront and tell her about us? Do we tell Addie first? Generally kids aren’t that great at keeping secrets so if we tell Addie, there’s a good chance more people will learn about us sooner than we’re comfortable with.” She absentmindedly draws little circles on my knee with her finger and her touch is exhilarating. Even on my knee. Oh, I’ve got it so bad for this woman.

“I think we should tell Larissa first. Addie deserves to know and she will know, but you’re right that kids can’t really keep quiet about things that excite them and I think she’ll be really happy about this.” Evie seems accepting of that answer with her slight nod while she settles more deeply into my side.

“Yeah, I agree. That sounds like a good idea.”

“What’re you plans for today?” I want to know every second of everything she’s doing. Not to be controlling, I’m simply captivated by everything about this woman. She could tell me she’s spending the day on her couch eating cheese and watching sitcoms about people at work, and I would think it’s the greatest use of her time.

“I have an inspection on my rental next week so I think I’ll take the day to do some deep cleaning on embarrassing spots I never think about like my baseboards and that disgusting track where the windows slide. What about you?”

We simultaneously shift so we can both stand up. We feel like my most favorite song and dance that I never want to stop moving to. How we got here from where I officially met her at Open House in August and became curious, to early October at our conference where I became entranced, to now mid-November where she feels like a vital part of my DNA, is nothing short of a miracle. I never desired to open myself up to anyone again, but Evie did it effortlessly.

It’s a surreal whirlwind that I never want to fall out of. I hold my hand out to help her up. “I think Addie and I are going to take the dogs over to Ms. Wilma’s. They can run around and play at the lake and I’m going to do some yard work for her thanks to some ‘yard work’” I make sure to use quotation marks. “Addie has already done that I need to fix. And I think Addie plans to bring her some chocolate chip cookies.”

“That is really sweet of you guys to take care of her like that.” Evie compliments while I escort her back to her car.

“Oh, it's the absolute least we could ever do. She is a lifesaver in so many areas, and never wants anything in return.”

“I’m glad you all have each other. It sounds like all parties benefit greatly from the relationships involved.”

“I hope you know that you’re one of those relationships that Addie and I greatly benefit from too. I can’t wait to be able to share our relationship with her. I know she’s going to be over the moon about it.” I reassure her while opening her door.

“Thank you for being okay with waiting to tell Addie. I just don’t want the school knowing until I know it won’t get me fired. I’m already under Mrs. Johnston’s radar for some reason, and I don’t want to add fuel to the fire..” I set a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I don’t mind at all. I get it.” Evie sits down in her car and I miss her already.

“Have a good day, August.” She seems like she wants to say more but is hesitating.

“Do you think you’ll come back over tonight?”

She giggles at me before responding. “I think I can make that happen. Just let me know when Addie falls asleep.” I feel almost guilty sneaking around my daughter like this, and I don’t need her permission, but it is better this way for right now. And honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve had outside of hanging out with Addie in a long time. I feel like a kid sneaking around with his first crush, and I happen to have snatched up the prettiest girl in school. Literally.

“Will do.” And with that, Evie speeds away from my house and into the sunrise. I’m not counting down the hours until Addie goes back to bed. One, because she’s not even awake yet. And two, I love spending time with her. But I also love that after she goes to bed, I’m not sitting alone with my demons anymore, but instead with the most disarming angel.

chapter 24

Evie

I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a bright, bubbly person. I’m definitely much more optimistic than your average bear, but I undoubtedly have a heavy dose of reality mixed in there. But for the last few years I’ve just felt heavy. I’ve been happy but not joyful. I am a firm believer that you don’t have to be in a relationship in order to fix all of your problems. But I also believe that having someone to empathize with you and lift you up makes a huge difference too.