Page 24 of Summer Affair
“Is it on Coach Johnson’s team?” she asked, because Coach Johnson also coached the Tiny Tikes community team and was a bully who played favorites and made Sammy’s last season a nightmare.
Sammy was small for his age, didn’t have a father around to teach him how to throw a ball, and was behind the other players on the team. Which was why she’d signed him up for a community team to begin with—to give him some good male role models. Coach Johnson was the exact opposite.
“I don’t think so. One of the other moms, Heather, said that a spot opened up. It was supposed to go to the next kid on the waitlist but, since I planned her parents’ fiftieth anniversary last summer on short notice, she owes me.”
Jillian calculated the cost of camp, cleats, and uniforms and felt her blood pressure rise. She glanced at Sammy, who was sitting by himself, quietly playing on her tablet and her heart rolled over. If she passed on the opportunity, this would be his entire summer.
Before she’d met Darcy, she and Sammy had gone through a few summers just the two of them. But that was before Jillian was working full time and all she had to do was focus on being a mom.
Things were different now, Sammy was different. He was a kid who knew what it was like to be around his friends all day and have playdates after school. Even if she did have time to host playdates, she didn’t have the time to chaperone. At camp he’d have his school friends, new friends, plus his best friend. Kylie would be on the cheer team so Jillian and Darcy could swap carpooling duties.
“Tell Heather I’m in.”
“You have to sign him up in person and today’s the last day. He needs to be fitted for his uniform and meet his team.”
Darcy rattled off a few other things Jillian would need, and she understood that there was no way she could provide those from her kitchen. In a second, her day had gone from hectic to overwhelming.
“Can I come down first thing tomorrow? I can be there at eight sharp.” She’d have to be in the kitchen before the sun rose, but that she could handle.
Sentencing Sammy to a lonely summer wasn’t an option. Because even though there were a lot of young families with kids on their block, all of them would be at their respective summer camps. No longer was the era where kids played in the streets or rode bikes to the park.
“This spot will be filled by then. She can only hold it for the next hour, tops.”
She choked on air. “One hour?” She’d have to leave in fifteen minutes to make it across town in that amount of time. Not to mention get Sammy ready, pack a lunch, and find his cleats from last year—if they still fit. Which she was certain they wouldn’t. Plus, she’d just put in a batch of cakes, with twenty minutes left on the clock. And there were the ones to be frosted.
Then there was Sammy, who was the most important. Jillian closed her eyes and willed her stomach to stop churning. “I know this is a huge ask, but could you swing by and pick him up on the way? I can print out the form online and have everything else ready to go. I can even donate twenty-four rejected mini cakes that look like a flat tire but taste amazing.”
“I wish I could,” Darcy said with so much apology in her voice Jillian regretted even asking. Jillian was not only out of the way, but the diversion would add a good forty minutes to Darcy’s day. Owning the top wedding venue in the state, her friend was just as busy, if not busier than Jillian. “I’m already here running sign-ups. I’ve been here since eight and my shift ends at three.”
Jillian was a master problem-solver. It was what made her a great cake designer and a good mom. She knew how to look at problems from every different angle to ensure that everyone walked away happy. “If I sent Piper with my stuff, could she act as Sammy’s guardian?”
“Piper’s here. She’s shooting some candids for next year’s brochure. She’s also watching Kylie for me until I get off. Hang on.” Darcy covered the mouthpiece and, in the background, Jillian heard a muffled conversation. Then Darcy was back. “Okay, Piper can come get Sammy and I can drive him home.”
Jillian had had her share of close friends over her lifetime, but she hadn’t had friends like this since she was in high school. Darcy and Piper would do anything if it meant helping Jillian or Sammy. But this time her friends, no matter how well-meaning, couldn’t bail Jillian out.
She looked at the clock and sighed. “With rush hour, I don’t think she’ll make it. If you can tell Heather I’ll be there as fast as I can, that would be great,” she said, knowing it was the only option. “And Darcy, thanks.”
“You got it and if you need me to keep Sammy tonight so you can have a free night to finish, just say the word.”
Jillian felt her eyes tingle. She was so used to going it alone, it felt nice to have two strong and amazing women in her life. “I might take you up on that offer.”
Not having to do the nighttime routine with Sammy would free up enough time that Jillian would make it to bed at a semi-decent hour.
“Be sure to bring his sleeping bag and warm pj’s. Gage set up a tent in the backyard and made a fire pit. He and Kylie are going to toast s’mores and tell campfire stories. It’s a mock-campout night and I know Kylie would love to have Sammy here for a sleepover.”
“Sammy would love that.” He’d more than love it. Whenever he spent time with Gage, he came home with a million and one stories. How cool Gage was, how much fun he had, how lucky Kylie was for having a present dad. He didn’t say the last, but it was clear in the way he spoke about his time there.
Jillian immediately called Eddie. It rang so long she was certain it was going to go to voicemail.
“’Lo, pumpkin,” he said.
“Eddie, thank god. Where are you?”
“At the senior center.” That meant he was across town. “What’s up?”
“Nothing, just calling to say hi,” she fibbed, because she knew he’s speed across town, blow through lights, and rack up a dozen other infractions to be there for Sammy, and he’d just been cleared by his doctor to go back to work part-time.
She was about to end the call when she heard shouting and rustling in the background. A bad feeling formed in her gut. “What’s going on?”
