Page 81 of Second Round

So I let him loose. He wanted to get gifts for Hannah and Sophie as well, but the selection wasn’t great around here. Finally, in a tiny dress shop, he managed to find a tie-dyed t-shirt and floppy hat for Charlotte, and a set of essential oils for Hannah. I was impressed that he found things that both of the girls wouldactuallylike.

“You know, when I first spoke to you on the phone, I felt like you didn’t even know your daughter that well. But I was wrong, you two are completelyinsync.”

Lines creased his forehead. “No, you were right. I thought I knew Charlotte, but all I knew were the external things. Spending so much time with her without my family pitching in has let me know her so much better.” He smiled at me. “Of course, I couldn’t have managed it all without you. Charlotte’s had a wonderful time getting to know your kids. Ihavetoo.”

“Yeah, it’s funny. I was worried about how everyone would get along. But it’s worked out so well. And Tristan’s excited about hockey now. He’s convinced he has shootingsuperpowersnow.”

Leo nodded. “He’s at a good age for learning right now, and he picks things up quickly. He’s gonna have a greatseason.”

We picked up a cake at the little bakery. Leo and Neil took the kids out to a faraway beach, while Sharon and I got everythingready.

“Fuck the male patriarchy,” declared Sharon. “How come they get to go to the beach while we have to do all the partystuff?”

“Because there’s wine here?” We were drinking a bottle of the island wine. “I love doing things like this, surprise parties. You could have gone with the others. We’re not doing anything fancy for dinner.” I had plans to serve up every bit of food I didn’t want to haul back to Vancouver. If I made it into an attractive buffet, that would foolthekids.

“It’s okay. I haven’t been able to spend much time alonewithyou.”

“No, you’ve been too busy draping yourself alloverNeil.”

Sharon hooted. “Yes, the sight of those pale and skinny legs in board shorts has sent my hormones intooverdrive.”

“Most men have ugly legs,” I pointed out. “That’s why long pants wereinvented.”

“Not the boy-toy coach though. His golden drumsticks are straight out of Hot Dad Magazine. You luckybitch.”

I laughed. But truthfully, every part of Leowashot.

“You’re really happy, Jackie. I’m glad. It’s something youdeserve.”

“God, I’m not one of those women, am I? I need a man tocompleteme?”

Sharon’s eyes narrowed. “Fuck, no. That’s not what I mean. You and I are so different. I thought you were nuts not to date any of the guys that asked you out in the past year. You waited. And the waitingpaidoff.”

“So Leo is getting the Zennaro seal ofapproval?”

She shook her head. “He’s a pretty closed person, so I can’t say I know him well enough to judge. But the way he is with the kids and the way he treats you, I do approve of that. And like I said, you’rehappynow.”

I smiled. “Enough stalling. It’s time to blow up balloons. Once we finish up in here, we relax on the deck and finishthewine.”

Soon, the place was completely decked out in tacky decorations. There were balloons, streamers, and the long-suffering Minx had a party hat on. Mao refused to sit still for anyaccessories.

“Surprise,” yelled Sharon and I when the kids walked in and looked around inbewilderment.

“Whose birthday is this?” Hannahasked.

“It’s a double celebration. Yours is next week, and Charlotte’s is in two days,” I explained. I brought out the smorgasbord of hot dogs, spring rolls, and myriad other leftovers. Yet everyone seemed happy picking out their favourites. And when eaten at a picnic table in the evening sunshine, it was a feast. We stuffed ourselves, laughed a lot, and then there was birthday cake and icecream.

“This has been the best summer of my life,” Charlotte declared. And it was tough to disagree with that. The future was something I tried hard not to think about. When Brent left, I made it my philosophy to take the days one at a time because I couldn’t deal with much more than that. But at this moment, the kids were happy, I was happy, and I dared to dream about more perfect timeslikethis.

30

Three LittleWords

Jackie

“Papa!”

Charlotte ran over and flung her arms around Leo. He picked her up and swung her. She dropped her head back and laughed in delight as they went round and round. When they finally stopped, she staggered around the room in dizzy, drunken circles ofdelight.

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