Page 26 of Curveball
“We all have our moments, don’t we?” she says, and I give her a rueful chuckle of commiseration.
“That we do.” I turn back to the wheel and pull out onto the main road.
Adele is quiet as I follow the next couple of audible driving directions on our way to taking them home, then says, “I have a worry now, though, because I’m not supposed to drive for a couple of weeks. I just don’t know how I’ll manage to get this girl around. She’s an active one, our Nat.”
“I’ll figure it out, Dilly. I can get a ride to school with Becks. Or Harper. And I’ll ask the coach if she can pick me up for our game tomorrow.”
We’ve been weaving our way further and further from school and my part of town, and finally, the GPS announces we’ve arrived. The house I share with Dylan is a fraction the size and nowhere near as elaborate as the gated residence I’m parked in front of. I’ve lived in a house similar to this, though. It was so long ago that I doubt Dylan has memories of it.
“Hey, listen,” I say. “If you need a ride, just let me know. You must have Dylan’s number, but here, I’ll give you mine too.” I hold out my hand and she hands me her phone. I add myself to her contacts list. “If Coach can’t help you, I’ll get you to and from your game tomorrow. Sometimes I like to come watch you girls play.”
Adele immediately brightens. “That sounds splendid. Thank you. We’ll be sure to let you know.” She reaches forward and taps Natalie on the shoulder. “Hey, kid, you know what else you need to tell her?” Natalie’s brow lowers.
“What?”
I’ve been parked here in the drive with a closed gate in front of me, and I have an idea of what she’s getting at. I hold back my smile because it’s comical how confused Natalie looks.
“Why don’t you give her the code to the gate?”
Adele chuckles, and I’m reminded that I really like this woman.
The next morning,I decide one of Natalie’s friends must have come through with a ride, as I haven’t heard from her by the time I need to leave for school. Since Natalie’s conference is now rescheduled, I only have three for this afternoon, and one of them is remote. Dylan’s been working out in the gym since he doesn’t have team practice, and by the time I finish my final meeting, I realize there’s plenty of time to get us across town to the girls’ softball game. I’ve been popping in to their local games whenever I have a chance, and it brings back fond memories of my own days on the diamond back in high school.
Natalie sees me and comes running over as soon as her game is over.
“Hey, Ms. Sloan, you made it! Hi, Dylan.”
I’d give her a hug but softball girls get funk, too. I refrain. Dylan replies with a chin nod.
“You girls played a good game,” I tell her. “Too bad you couldn’t pull off the win.”
“We weren’t even close. I wish the coach would pull Lisa and give me the spot. She’s hurt, for God’s sake.” She bounces on her toes, looking over her shoulder at the emptying dugout. “Hey, do you remember?—”
Brows raised, I wait for her to continue. After a moment, I prompt her with, “Remember what?”
She sighs. “Well, um, do you think I could catch a ride home? Coach is in a mad and?—”
I hold up my hand with a chuckle. “Say no more. I’m parked right over there.” I point to my car in the parking lot. “Take your time.”
The ride home is loud with music and the kids cutting up, and this is a lot more fun than my usual quiet trips with Dylan, pulling each word from him like an impacted molar, just to have a conversation.
When we pull into the drive to Natalie’s house and I use the code to open the gate, Dylan’s mouth finally stops running and he stares at me in something like wonder.
“You have their code? Wait! You have the secret code to Mighty Max Murphy’sestate?”
From the back seat, Natalie laughs out loud. “Get over yourself, Lopez. Daddy even assigned her her own code. How are we going to get all the way to the house if nobody opens the gate?” I’m impressed that she doesn’t make a thing of her advantaged circumstance, or the obvious differences in ours.
Once the wrought iron panels are fully wide, I put the car in drive and cruise up to the front portico.
“That’s what I mean! This place is huge!” Dylan’s jaw drops as he takes in the full expanse of the property. I have to admit, I’m still in awe, and I’ve already been exposed.
Natalie hooks her hands on the back of Dylan’s seat and leans forward. “Ms. Sloan, do you think I could ask for a ride tomorrow, too? If it’s not too much trouble, that is.”
I mentally decode my calendar for the next day. I have a few things, but . . .
“I think we can make it work. What time do you need a ride?”
“I tutor reading to kids at the youth center from ten to noon on Saturdays.” She cringes. “Is that too much to ask?”
