Part 26 (1/2)
We reach Brady's Camaro and he opens the door, standing inside.
”I'm sorry. I've got nothing. I guess I'm too new in this area to offer any advice.”
He laughs. ”It helps venting. I'm sure after the wedding it will all be back to normal . . . I hope.” His fingers weave through his hair as he rotates the stress of his neck.
”It will. Hang in there.”
He eyes his watch. ”I'm already late for the caterer. Don't forget tux fitting this weekend. Guys only, we're going out after.” He points at me and I hold my hands up in defense.
”When have I ever been against a guys' night?”
He smirks and shakes his head. ”Since Paige entered your life.”
I nod, he's got a point. Lately, it's been me canceling practices and shows due to a baseball game for Matty, or just a night in with Paige.
We say our good-byes and then I jog over to my car.
I dig out the crumpled up sheet of paper with a list of errands that Paige shoved in my pocket this morning. The best route runs through my head so I make sure to get them done before picking up Matty at preschool.
An hour later, I'm waiting in the pick-up line outside Matty's school. After stopping at every d.a.m.n store in Western, I'm fifteen cars back, which sucks because I'll have to wait for each kid to be escorted to their car, and strapped in. G.o.d forbid any of the teachers not chit chat with the mom.
Man, how my life as changed in only a few months. I used to wait for a tattoo and now I'm waiting for a kid I've grown to love as much as his sister. I'm even surprised how my world spun on its axis and flipped me completely around, but I'm the happiest I've ever been.
Paige and I still have a few hurdles. We're waiting on final paperwork that states she's Matty's guardian, but as far as we know it's only a technicality. They had no problem with Matty staying in the house with all of us, as long as he had his own room. Which he did, after Paige moved into mine. Lucky for Paige, her dad did release her trust early, which loosens financial pressures on her. There are times I see her sadness at night during one of those commercials with a daughter and a mother. All I can do is be there for her when she needs me; I can't take her pain away, no matter how much I wish I could. Linda disappeared from that hospital room and hasn't contacted us once.
My fingers drum my thigh as I crawl forward every four minutes until Matty's skipping to the car holding Mrs. Williams, his teacher's hand. I climb out to slide my seat forward so Matty can get in.
”Hey, buddy. How was school?” I ask, smiling over to Mrs. Williams.
”Thanks. See you Monday,” I say directly to her.
”Have a great weekend.” She peeks her head into my car. Matty's too preoccupied trying to strap himself in. ”Have fun at your birthday party.”
He lifts his head. ”Thanks.”
Mrs. Williams follows the sidewalk to the next car and I slide into the driver's seat, looking at Matty through the rearview mirror. His head is hanging low and he's unusually quiet.
”What's up, Bud?”
I steer the car away slowly not to rock the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cake that Matty asked for.
He digs through his backpack and pulls out a green piece of paper. ”Here.” He hands it to me through the opening of seats.
Staring ahead on the road, my hand lifts up to grab it. ”What is this?”
Once we're stopped at a light, I unfold the piece of paper on top of the steering wheel. There lies the problem that's invoked Matty's sadness. A daddy and me night at the school. Just to add salt to the wound they're having a magician, which Matty is all about lately.
”All the kids are going. Nick asked me if I was.”
”What did you tell him?”
”I told him I'd have to ask my dad.” My heart sinks because Paige hasn't told Matty much since he moved in with us.
We drive up the driveway and Paige's car is parked in the usual spot. Relief envelops me because she can handle this much better than me. I open the car door and he grabs his bag and steps out.
”If your dad can't go, can I take you?” I ruffle his long mop of hair and he gazes up at me like I'm his favorite turtle, Raphael.
”Yeah.”
We enter the house and Paige is packing up a box full of the favors for the kids.
”My two favorite men.” She greets us and Matty runs up to her.
”Rob said he'd take me to this.” He sprints back to me, tearing the piece of paper out of my hand and then thrusts it to Paige when he returns back.
Paige reads it over and then her eyes peek up at me, glistening with wetness. ”This sounds like a lot of fun.”
”I can't wait.” He drops his bag on the chair and opens the refrigerator. ”Can I have a snack?”
”There's some apple slices in there,” Paige calls out as her eyes fixate on me.
I wrap my arm around her waist, dragging her into me and kissing the spot right below her ear. ”How was your day?”
”Thank you.” She relaxes in my arms and I kiss her cheek.
”Always.”
Matty sits down in a seat next to us, chomping on his apples. ”Are all my friends coming?”
Paige breaks away from me, the one downside of having a kid in the house. We rarely have time to ourselves. ”I think so.” She goes back to loading the box.
”Chloe and Tara?”
”Yep, coming.”
”Matt?”
”Yes.”
”Jace?”
”I think so.”
”Mommy?”
Paige's hand stops midstream and she peers over to me. ”Um.” She sits down next to him. ”Remember when you moved in, I told you how Mommy asked me to take care of you?”
His head falls down. ”Yeah.”
Paige places her hand on Matty's hand to comfort him. ”While she's gone, you have me and . . .”