Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
After parking, Goldie climbs over the console and out my door, knowing I would’ve opened the door for her. She chose to wear a yellow dress for Meet Your Teacher Night, saying she wanted to impress Miss Willa. I told her it wasn’t necessary but I’m also not going to tell her she can’t wear what she wants. At least, not right now. Junior high and high school are a different story.
Goldie skips along and holds my hand as we make it over to the football field. When I crouch down to inspect the fullness of the regrowth, I’m pleased the boys haven’t torn up the new grass with their cleats and more appreciative that Coach Lincoln is teaching the boys to have respect for grass.
“Daddy, can I play on the field?”
As much as I should tell her no, I don’t and nod. She takes off running and then does a couple of cartwheels, followed by a flip. I pull out my phone, turn on the video camera, and ask her to do it again. She does, and I’m able to capture it all and send it to her mom.
(Text) Did you sign her up for gymnastics yet?
Not yet, but I will tomorrow.
Tell her I love her.
She loves you, Ana.
My heart breaks for Ana and while I’m grateful for this time with my daughter, I can’t imagine what Ana’s going through. In the blink of an eye, her world flipped upside down.
I let Goldie somersault and cartwheel her way to the end of the field and then herd her back to the truck. She seems to have a lot of energy now, which I’m hoping isn’t a bad thing. She’s such a sweet little girl, I want everyone to love her. Mostly, I want her to make friends and not feel out of place in Magnolia Grove. I don’t know how long this is going to be her home, but until then, I need her to be happy.
Goldie and I hold hands as we face the elementary school. We stand there, next to the flagpole, both with fears. Hers is being the new kid. Mine is facing someone I once loved.
Don’t lie to yourself, Wade.
I sigh heavily and give her hand a squeeze.
“Ready?”
“To go home? Yes!”
I look down at my daughter and smile.
People pass by us, chatting happily. Some say hi while others continue on their way.
“We gotta do this, kiddo.”
Goldie sighs. “If you say so.”
Surprisingly, it’s Goldie who takes the first step. If she can do it, so can I. We follow behind another family and enter the school. I can’t remember the last time I was inside the elementary school. It had to be when I left fifth grade. Even though I do all their landscaping there isn’t ever a need to go inside.
And I know why.
It’s standing in the middle of the atrium, with the early evening sunlight casting her in a heavenly glow. She smiles at every student and shakes hands with every parent. Every few seconds she tilts her head back and laughs or gives directions by pointing toward one of the halls.
I swallow hard as we approach, unsure if I even need to stop or if I’m supposed to. I’m steps away when I look down at the sheet of paper with Goldie’s class assignment on it and then look into the blazing gaze from the intense green eyes of my ex, Lemon Walsh.
“Hey, Le-Lemon.” I stumble over a name I’ve said a million times before. A name I’ve tried not to think about for the past eight years.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
Ouch.
four
lemon
“You did what?” Leslie screeches.
I plop down onto the couch and fall to my side with a melodramatic groan. After seeing Leslie last week and sharing a pitcher or two of margaritas, she volunteered to come to Magnolia Grove on Meet Your Teacher Night just in case I needed her.
I totally needed her.
“Tell me again what he said.”
“He said, ‘Hi, Le-Lemon’ and he looked freaking adorable and kissable and just so damn manly with the sleeves of his T-shirt stretched around his muscles and I . . .” I cover my face with my hand and weep.
“I can’t believe you asked if you knew him.”
“What is wrong with me?”
“The list is long,” Leslie says with zero hesitation. “If you would’ve called, I would’ve had the margs going. I’ll need a minute.”
Within seconds, I can hear Leslie moving around in my kitchen. My apartment isn’t huge, but it works for me until the house I want to buy comes on the market. Well, there are a group of them, all along the river, and I’m biding my time until one goes up for sale. I have the down payment and then some. The only problem with where I want to live is Wade lives there. He bought a house in the location where we always talked about living someday.