Page 42 of One Last Shot

“Hi, Auntie Sofia,” Stella says.

Ah, Colette’s best friend. “Oh, hi, I’m Petra,” I say as I stick out my hand to shake hers.

She takes my hand in hers and smiles. “Yeah, I figured. I’m so glad Alex connected us via text the other night, or I would have been so freaked out to see Stella walking out of school with a stranger.”

“Petra’s not a stranger,” Stella says in her innocent little voice. “She’sDyadya’sbest friend.”

“I think it’s more accurate to say we were best friends when we were younger,” I tell Sofia.

“Aren’t you still best friends?” Stella asks.

“Well, you know how we didn’t see each other for years and years? It’s hard to stay best friends with someone you never see. But we’re old friends, anyway.” I shrug. I doubt the distinction matters to Stella, but it will to Sofia, I’m sure.

“Why’s Stella leaving early today?” Sofia asks me.

“We just had a little meeting with the principal about an incident that happened at recess ...”

“I’m being sent home for the day,” Stella interrupts. She sounds proud of herself and while I don’t condone violence, especially among little kids, I’m really fucking proud of her too. It is hard to learn to stand up for yourself, especially around someone who is bigger and stronger. I’m glad Stella is practicing this skill at an early age, while the stakes are still low. “Because I pushed Jason down after he tripped me, and he cried like a baby, so I got in trouble.”

I glance around the wide, bright hallway. There’s no one around except the three of us, but all the classroom doors are wide open.

“That’s enough, Stella,” I say quietly.

“I’m about to go volunteer in the library. Maybe you could tell me and Harper the story later?” Sofia smiles at Stella. “Could we go for ice cream after ballet this afternoon?” she asks me.

I had been planning to march Stella out of here and straight to grab some ice cream in celebration of her standing up for herself. But when I see the way Stella’s face lights up at the suggestion of including her best friend, I suppose we can wait until after ballet. “Sure, that would be great.”

* * *

“I love watching the two of them together,” Sofia says as we wait for ballet to end. I’ve been here the whole time, but she just got here.

“They are adorable,” I agree, as I watch them practice their pliés while holding hands.

“They remind me so much of myself and Colette when we were their age.”

“You and Colette knew each other when you were that young?” I knew they were best friends, but had no idea it had been a lifelong thing for them.

“Yeah, we met in kindergarten,” she smiles a sad smile.

“I’m glad you had such a great friendship, and I’m really sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks. At least we still have Stella, though. She’s got Colette’s face, even though she has Niko’s coloring. She reminds me so much of Colette when we were younger. Strongly opinionated, but scared to voice her thoughts.”

I chuckle. “I guess I’ve seen a different side of her.”

“I think maybe you bring out a different side of her,” Sofia says affectionately. “Alex says she’s really taken by you. He seems to think you’re a good role model for her.”

They’ve talked about me? “I hope so. I want her to grow up to be strong and independent, but I also don’t have any idea how to teach a kid those lessons.” I had to learn them all the hard way.

“Well, Alex seems to think you’re doing a great job,” she tells me. “When is he coming back?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

“Ah, okay. I’m trying to convince him to let Stella come over for a sleepover, and I’m hoping for this weekend.”

“He won’t let her come for a sleepover?”

“He hasn’t ever said ‘no,’ he just tells me that he’ll think about it and never says yes.”

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