Page 5 of Autumn Wishes and Pumpkin Kisses

“Let me make you a website. Nothing fancy, but somewhere they can go and check out what you have to offer. The world is different nowadays, but we don’t have to allow them to do any business on the site. We can make it where they can just view you regular menu items as well as seasonal ones. Share pictures of what you have to offer and the bakery. Let them get a sense of who you are. I truly think that Fran and the Sip and Smack doesn’t hold a candle to you so let me help prove it.” Ideas as well as site layout and design are rolling through my head.

Warbee starts to shake her head, but stops. “You really think that could help?”

“It couldn’t hurt. Look, I’m good at what I do. Just like you are, so let me help you.” I’m crossing my fingers that she lets me do this. Then I decide that no matter what she says, I’m going to do it anyways, but luckily after a few moments of thinking she agrees to let me create the website for her. Instantly, I know I made the right decision to come home. I haven’t even been back a full day and already I’m able to help one of the people I care about out of a situation. The excitement takes over my blood and I stand up explaining to Warbee the process of creating the website and tell her I’m going to get started on it. In a rush to get to work, I forget all about the muffins and the fact my heart is aching in my chest for the one thing I can’t have.

FIVE

Teaganne

Traveling with two kids is always difficult. It’s especially difficult when your diva like, two-year-old daughter, isn’t feeling well and her normally calm, older brother has had his share of whining and starts to act up, too. Being a single mom may be new in the sense of the title for me, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been raising my kids on my own for a while now. Joe checked out on us long before the divorce papers were even filed. I pull over knowing we still have at least another hour in the car before we reach Blue Ridge. Once I find a McDonalds, I pull up to the drive-thru window. Nothing calms my kids better than chicken nuggets, French fries and a milkshake. While sitting in line, I research the nearest park area. With the food in the car, I quickly head towards the park I located on the map. Luckily, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of people around. I climb out, helping Silas out first before going around and getting Seraphina. Unfortunately, the park doesn’t offer any sitting areas except benches so I rummage through the back of my Escalade and find a blanket that I spread over the grass. My kids instantly get excited while hollering picnic! I can’t help but smile at them. They are my whole world.

Silas being the little helper that he is holds on to Seraphina’s hand while I lay out the blanket. I place the food and drink carrier on top to help hold the blanket in place before the kids take their seats. Once they start eating, it becomes quiet and I’m able to watch them. I try my best to soak in all these little moments because I know they won’t last forever. Laughter and a light, late summer breeze fills the park. I look up and see other children playing on the equipment. Silas looks over at me, his eyes big. He loves the park, but sadly it wasn’t something we got to do a lot in New York City. Everything is different there. As much as I love the city and dreamed of it, I know it’s not the place to raise my children. When Silas, Seraphina, and I visited Blue Ridge last year, it became obvious just how much my children were missing out on by living in New York City. Don’t get me wrong, New York has a lot to offer, but it’s not the same things I want my kids to have. “If you guys finish eating, we can stay and play for a while before getting back in the car.”

“Really?” Silas asks. His face lights up like a house during Christmas. Excitement is taking over his body as he takes a huge bite out of his chicken nugget with a smile large enough for his dimples to appear. A pang of regret stabs in my stomach, stealing my appetite. He has so many of his father's traits. They’re small and barely noticeable to most, but considering those little traits are the things that made me love him, the things that I spent hours memorizing before our time was up...it’s hard for me not to notice.

I nod my head and plaster on the best smile I can muster for them. “Yes, for a little while at least, but you have to finish eating all of your food first.”

Seraphina raises her hand in the air like she has a question. “Me, too?” she asks.

I lean forward and pinch her chubby cheek. “You, too, princess.”

“Yay!” she exclaims. Her little hands clap together and I can’t help the feeling of certainty that comes over me. I went back and forth with the decision to move over the last year, but every time I look at these twoI know it’s the right one.

After we finish eating, the kids help me collect the trash before running over to the swings. “Y’all don’t go anywhere but the swings until I get back over there. I’m just going to dump the trash.”

Silas hollers over his shoulder “Yes, ma’am,” while grabbing Seraphina’s hand.

I quickly make my way over to the dumpsters and throw the trash while pulling my phone from the back pocket of my jeans. Quickly, I scroll over to Warbee’s contact. She’ll be worried if we aren’t in Blue Ridge soon. Warbee was always the ‘mom’ of our group. She picks up on the second ring, sounding a little breathless. “Teag! Did y’all make it?”

“No, not yet. We stopped in Atlanta. The kids were fussy and hungry. I found a McDonalds and grabbed some food. We ended up having a picnic in the park and, of course, they wanted to play so I’m trying to let them tire themselves out before we get back in the car. I wanted to let you know so you wouldn’t worry.,” I explain.

“I’m glad you did because I would have started a search party,” she admits, with a laugh.

I laugh as well. “I know you would have. You’re the best, Bee.”

“How’s the trip been?” she asks.

I sigh. Emotionally, I’m exhausted. Physically, I’m stiff from so much driving. “It hasn’t been bad. It’s just the kids aren’t really used to a car. Heck, I’m not even used to a car anymore. I walked most of the time in the city so being in the car for so long just feels foreign to me now. It’s a strange thought.”

“You better get used to it. Blue Ridge isn’t a big place, but I think you’ll want to drive when the snow hits.”

“I’ll get adjusted again. Everything is an adjustment right now.” I sit down on one of the park's benches with the blanket beside me, watching my kids play.

Warbee sighs. “You sound tired, Teaganne.”

“So do you,” I counter.

We both laugh and Warbee admits she is tired, but it’s more of a frustrated tired. I’m just about to ask what’s going on, when I hear Seraphina scream from the swings. I look up to see her on the ground and Silas trying to stop his swing to get to her. I jump up, disconnecting the phone call with Warbee and rush to them. When I get to her, I see she’s fine, she just slipped from the swing. One of her knees is scraped, but other than that she’s okay. I scoop her up and take Silas’ hand as we head back to the SUV. My phone vibrates in my back pocket the entire time. I’m sure Warbee is worried sick. I’m not sure if she heard Seraphina’s scream, but I never just abruptly end a phone call for no reason. Silas stops me and rushes over to grab the blanket from the bench before returning to my side. “Thanks, baby,” I tell him. I get the kids situated and climb back behind the wheel. I’m getting ready to call Warbee back, but when I turn the key to start to Escalade, nothing happens. After trying a few more times, I realize that the battery or something else mechanical must be wrong. I call my roadside assistance and they inform me that it will be at least a two hour wait before they can get to me. It’s all I can do so I agree to the time frame.

When I hang up the phone call, my head falls back against the headrest of the driver’s seat. Seraphina is already asleep and by the looks of it Silas is going to be out soon. Overall, that’s a good thing, but the sun is beginning to set and I’m not sure about the area of town we're in. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me nervous. After I make sure all the doors are locked, I dial Warbee back. “Thank goodness! I’ve been worried sick. I heard screaming and then you were just gone. My heart can’t take that Teaganne.”

“I’m sorry. Seraphina took a fall and I just ran without thinking.”

Warbee asks, “Is she okay?”

“Yes, her knee took most of it, but nothing too bad, just a scrape. She’ll live, but you know how much of a diva she can be,” I tell her with a laugh. She agrees. “Okay, I’ve got to break some news to you. We aren’t going to make it tonight. My car won’t start, so I’m currently waiting on roadside assistance to get here.”

“Oh goodness, are y’all okay?”

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