Page 9 of Never Really Over

Natalie:So you’re sure you want her another night? If so, yes, that's totally fine! Great, actually. Glad she's doing good with you. You're the actual best.

Me:Right? I've known it forever, it just took you a long ass time to admit it.

Natalie:Hardy har har. Thank you again, Colt. You don't know how much it means to us to have you willing to help.

Me:Not a hardship to spend time with your daughter, Natalie. Focus on you and your marriage and we'll talk tomorrow.

Natalie:Can you call me later today? I just want to say hello to her.

Me:You bet. Talk soon.

Natalie:Love you, Colt.

Me:Love you.

An hour later, the rain hasn't started and Poppy is awake, so I load the two of us up in my pickup, her bundled securely in the car seat I bought after she was born, and head into town to get a few groceries. I place her car seat in the cart and talk to Poppy while I'm loading up on the food I need. Since I've shopped in this exact same grocery store since I was a kid, I know where everything is and it doesn't take me long to finish up. Making sure I have everything I need to make pancakes and scrambled eggs with ham, I also make a trip into the baby food aisle to get some more snacks for Poppy. She likes these little puff things that taste like nothing, but she eats them like they're candy and they're Natalie-approved, something I learned is a must.

While I was shopping, the rain had started to come down pretty hard so I take our time in the store since she’s not fussing.

“Colt? Is that you?” I hear someone ask. When I turn around, I see Layla’s mom, Maureen.

Smiling, I turn the cart around and walk toward her. “Maureen! Hey, there. How are you?”

She looks at Poppy and then to me again. “I’m good. You?”

“Great. It’s been a while, huh?”

“I’ll say,” she says, raising her eyebrows.

I always got along well with Maureen. She was more of a mother to me than my own ever was. I ate more meals around her table than I did my own, she attended every game I played in, offered me support when I needed it, and she was the person I called when I was at a bonfire party that got busted for underage drinking. When Layla and I broke up, I had promised Maureen I’d stay in contact but that didn’t happen. It was a little too awkward, I guess. And I didn’t want to put her in a bad position.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around like I said I would be.”

“Oh, shush. I knew that was a pipe dream for both of us.” She shrugs then leans down, looking at Poppy.

“Who’s this?”

“Poppy. Or, Tootsie Pop, as I call her.”

“She’s adorable.”

I give her a grin and wink. “Takes after her uncle, right?”

“Uncle? She’s Natalie’s?”

“Sure is. Natalie and her husband needed some time together so I have her for the weekend.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. You don’t mind having a baby around all weekend? It doesn’t cramp your style?” she asks with a smirk.

“Nah. I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend. I don’t really do much anyway, so it works out.” Just as I finish saying it, Poppy starts to fuss so I unstrap her from the strap holding her into the shopping cart and lift her in my arms, giving her a kiss on the cheek before she lays her head down on my shoulder.

“Now how are you going to find a girl if you always stay out there on the farm?”

“Oh, come on, now, Maureen. Doesn’t it look like I already have a girl?” I ask, giving Poppy a little squeeze.

She rolls her eyes and laughs, reaching for her back and giving it a tiny rub. “I guess it does. I suppose that doesn’t surprise me.”

“Why’s that?”

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