Page 54 of Home in the Country
“It’s coconut.”
“I like it. Might never look at one the same, but hell, no judgment here.”
Fallon snorts and then chuckles.
“Thank you, Otto, for doing this. It means a lot.”
“I told you all you needed to do was ask for help.” The silence stretches between us, so I ask a question instead.
“Is there a seat for him I have to pick up?”
“Oh! Yes, I left it outside his classroom. Do you know how to put it in? Miss Baker should be able to help you and—”
“Fallon, relax. It’s all under control.”
“Thank you, Otto. This day has been nonstop and thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I actively ignore the part of my brain that wants to remind me that I was nowhere near the top of her list for this particular emergency.
“I’ll let you know when I get him.”
“Okay. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
We disconnect, and I make my way through Clementine Creek to the elementary school. It doesn’t look a whole lot different from when I went there, but I think there’s some kind of unspoken rule that nostalgia is king at the grade school level.
Parking my truck, I pull my wallet out and sandwich my license in the center so I don’t have to fumble with it. I’m nervous. Honestly, more nervous than I’ve been in a long time.
Putting on my game face, I purse my lips and let out three loud whistles as I walk up the sidewalk to the fence. All the kids look up and then return to playing, but Briggs’s gaze is a mixture of concern and excitement.
I give the teacher my license, and she smiles at me with kind eyes.
“Hi, I’m Miss Baker. Ms. Holiday called and said you’d be picking Briggs up today. I put you on the approved list.” She holds out her hand and we shake.
“Thank you,” I say before returning my attention to the playground. “Hey Big Rigg, whaddya say we go have a guy’s day?”
Briggs put his toys away slowly before grabbing his backpack and coming to stand in front of me.
He leans his little head back as he asks, “What’s our word?”
Squatting down, I turn my hat backward so he can see my eyes. Then I lower my voice and whisper, “Coconut.”
A smile spreads across his face as he rocks back and forth on his heels.
“Where’s Mommy?”
“She had to work late, and I asked her if it would be okay if we could hang out for a bit so she wouldn’t have to worry. Is that okay with you?”
He nods.
“Cool.” Standing, I hold out my hand. “Let’s go, Big Rigg.”
Briggs giggles as he slides his palm against mine. The feeling jars something loose inside me, and I clear my throat to cover the unexpected emotion.
“What did you learn at school today?”
“B-b-baby! And do you know thatmyname is B! Miss Baker’s too! And she said I wrote it good. And we learned a new sight word and did math and had cookies for snack!”
