Page 18 of Safe at Home

“Are you Molly Green?” a stadium employee asked.

“I am,” I replied after wiping my mouth with a napkin.

“A Mr. Tyler Stone requested that you be at your seats before The National Anthem. That is due to happen in 20 minutes.”

I looked at my plate and nodded. I could finish a lot of this in fifteen minutes and then find my seat. I looked over and saw both kids had plates piled high with cookies, brownies, and different desserts.

Camden took a big bite of a cookie, then looked at me and said with a mouthful, “These are not as good as your cookies, Molly.”

I felt a puff of pride in my chest and grinned at him, “Thanks, Cam. That means a lot to me.”

I told Pen what the employee said, so we finished our food and made our way down to our seats.

“Penelope?” a female voice asked behind us as we sat down. “Penelope Delilah Benton?”

Pen sat up in her seat and looked towards the voice. A beautiful young woman with shoulder length brown hair and a grin on her face was approaching us.

“Lita?” Pen asked and was suddenly out of her seat.

“Well, as I live and breathe! It really is you!” the woman exclaimed and rushed towards us. She enveloped Penelope in a huge hug. “I saw the thing on the news about the tornado, and it showed pictures of our special guests at the game. And heavens to Betsy, it was you!”

Penelope and I made eye contact, and we both had wide eyes. Special guests of the game? On the news? What was going on?

“Hold your horses! Is this Camden? He was just a wee little thing last time I saw him!”

“This is Camden. Wow, has it really been that long?” Penelope said as she motioned for her kids to come over by her. “Cam, Pey, this is my cousin, Melita. Lita, these are my kids Camden and Peyton Jane.”

“You gave her the middle name Jane? That’s my middle name!” she exclaimed as she got down to their level. “Hey, y’all! Aren’t y'all just pretty as a peach!”

“Boys aren’t pretty,” Peyton said in a matter-of-fact tone. “They are handsome.”

Peyton’s cousin had to laugh, “Ha, well, I reckon so. You are pretty, Peyton. Camden is very handsome.”

“Why do you talk funny?” Peyton asked.

“Lordy be, aren’t you precious! I reckon your mama has been gone about a month of Sundays!” She then turned her attention to Pen. “Where in the heavens is Shiloh? I’ve missed that sister of yours as much as you. Everybody had a hissy fit when she up and went to college in the cold and snowy midwest. Then, Lordy mercy sakes alive, here I am, basically the pot calling the kettle black! ”

“Auntie Shiloh is back at home in Ohio,” Camden explained. “She came to live with us when Peyton was born. I get to share a room with her!”

“Thank God she is fine after the tornado, and our apartment wasn’t hit.” Pen said and then looked over at me. “Lita, this is my boss and one of my best friends, Molly.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said and gave her a quick hug. “So, why do they call you Lita and not Mel?”

“Heavens, I don’t reckon why. It’s just what my family always would call me. Golly, I’m sure you think I’ve got some nerve just findin’ out my favorite cousin had another baby and not even layin’ eyes on her for seven years. I was only twelve when Penny’s mom kicked her out after she had her baby boy. After she and Shiloh left together, Mama was fit to be tied and wouldn’t let me talk to ‘em.” Melita then turned and looked at Penelope before saying, “You were always my favorite cousin. I’ve looked for you on social media, but I was about as successful as fittin’ socks on a rooster.”

“Mommy hates social media,” Peyton explained.

“Except when it helps the bakery,” Camden added.

I had to laugh. I knew Penelope wasn’t on social media herself, and I felt like a horrible friend not knowing much about her past.

“I can’t believe you're here! What are you doing in Illinois?” Pen asked her.

“I’m going to college here at Oakville Community College since my fiancé plays for the Bobcats.”

“You’re engaged? Congratulations!”

“Thanks!” Melita gushed and showed her ring finger. Her ring wasn’t very big, but the solitaire diamond seemed to mean a lot to her. “My fiance is the left fielder, Drew Parker.”

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