Page 7 of Until Delilah

The wind blows through the backyard, causing some of her hair to fly in her face. Involuntarily, my hand raises and brushes the hair away. My fingers skim along the apple of her cheek, sending electricity through my arm.

Delilah jumps back and I’m not sure if it’s from the zing of electricity or she doesn’t like to be touched. I don’t comment on it though. Not tonight.

“We’d love to have him on the team, and I know him and the boys will get along great. Practice starts tomorrow night at six, but lots get there early to start warming up so we can get started, so everyone can go eat dinner and do homework.”

“And it’s at the school, right?” she questions as she brings up the Uber app on her phone.

Does she not have a car? Is that why she’s worried about where the practice and games are? I’ll have to figure out a way for me or someone else to offer rides for them in the future.

“You know, I’m getting ready to leave and I can give you and Beckham a ride home if you’d like.”

Delilah looks up at me with her finger hovering to order her ride. “Oh, um… you don’t really need to do that. I’d hate to be an inconvenience.”

“It’s not a problem at all.” And even if it is, I’m not going to let her take an Uber home.

“That would be nice, and I’m sure Beckham will love to get to hang out with his hero for a little longer. He really is your number one fan.”

“And how about you? Do you have a favorite player?”

She smiles and shakes her head as she starts to where everyone is standing by the back door. “I don’t know enough about the game to have a favorite player. I’m not sure where he gets his love for it, except maybe from my dad. He loves to take Beckham to games when he can.”

Interesting.

Maybe I can work on Delilah to get her to say I’m her favorite player.

“Again, thank you for asking us over for dinner. Hopefully, sometime in the future, I’ll be able to return the gesture,” Delilah says to Mom and Dad.

Mom reaches out and pats her on the arm. I notice Delilah doesn’t seem to mind her touch. Maybe it’s just men. “Oh, it was lovely having you and Beckham over. We’ll have to do it again.”

My dad wraps an arm around Mom and pulls her to his side. “Yes, it was nice getting to know you and your son. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you at some of the games.”

His comment makes me smile. Even with me only being a Little League coach, my dad’s still going to support me and act like I’m coaching a major league team.

Delilah smiles politely as she takes her son’s hand.

“I’m going to go as well and give them a ride home. I’m not sure if I’ll see you before the game on Saturday, but if not, it’s at one o’clock.” I pat my dad on the back and kiss Mom’s cheek.

“We’ll be there and let us know if there’s anything you need. Snacks or drinks. Anything.” Mom looks down at Beckham. “And I’ll see you in class tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“You too, Mrs. Black.” His mom runs her hand affectionately down his back.

She looks at me. “We’re ready whenever you are.”

I want to place my hand on her lower back again and guide her to my truck, but I keep my hands to myself. I need to give her time to get used to my presence. Both my dad and I are big guys, and it’s possible we intimidate her. Once she gets to know us, though, she’ll realize she’s got nothing to fear.

3

Delilah

I shiverand wrap my arms around myself as the boys run around the field and pick up the equipment from practice. Even though it’s late March, the sun’s gone down and there’s a slight wind making it quite chilly. When I was pregnant with Beckham, I was hot all the time. I certainly hope I won’t be cold throughout this pregnancy. I’m sure I’ll be ruing the day I ever thought that when summer rolls around and I’m as big as a whale.

The woman sitting in front of me turns around and smiles warmly at me. I’m not sure if it’s small-town life or if everyone in Tennessee is this nice, but it’s a nice change of pace from Jackson. “We’re all going to a pizza place in town after this, and I wanted to make sure to ask you if you wanted to join us.”

I want to say no, but of course, that’s the exact moment Beckham walks up to me. “Can we go, Mama? A couple of my friends asked me if we’re going.”

“If you want to go, we’ll go.” The only problem is, I have no idea where this pizza place is. I look at the mom who asked. “I’m sorry we’re new and I don’t know the area all that well. Can you give me directions and the name?” I hate not knowing where anything’s at. I need a job so I can get a car and a place to live as soon as possible.

Although, I’ll know the town like the back of my hand soon if I have to go into every business in town to fill out job applications.

---