Page 25 of Pucked Up Plans
Every time I get frustrated with a comment I have to rewind repeatedly to make sure it’s accurate, I remind myself if it weren’t for this job, I’d be working a lot more hours, not athome, and I’d most likely have to hire a babysitter, eating into the time I have with Aubrey. It usually does the trick to keep me motivated to soldier on past the mumblings of certain doctors. Until I’m ready to give this job up to pursue something else, I can’t risk them letting me go. Unless I all but stopped doing my work, it’s unlikely to happen, but I won’t take it for granted.
Megan picks up Lennon on Monday and Tuesday, and even though it’s Walsh on Wednesday, all we get is a quick wave and a “see you tomorrow” as he whisks Lennon away from school.
As much as I try not to let it show, Aubrey picks up on my prickly mood at the insufficient Walsh interactions.
“Mommy, can we make muffins for our playdate tomorrow? I think Lennon will really like blueberry ones.” Aubrey’s voice carries from the back of the car.
“She would, huh?” I’m not convinced she will, but blueberry muffins are Bree’s favorite.
She’s silent for a few minutes. “Or chocolate chip. She’ll like those.”
Stopped at a light, I sneak a peek in the rearview mirror. Her nose is upturned at the mention of chocolate chip, the mere thought an abomination in her mind.
“Think we’ll have time for both this afternoon, or do you need a nap?”
Her eyes glow with excitement, meeting mine in the mirror. “I just need a small resty. Maybe while they bake in the oven?”
“Sure thing, Bean.”
Her “yay” rings out in the car, above the country music playing low on the radio. Thank goodness Vermont has a few stations. Sirius XM isn’t quite in the budget yet.
Aubrey jabbers away as we eat lunch and prepare the muffins. True to her word, when I slide them into the oven, she climbs on the couch with her blanket. Eventually her eyes close, and she drifts into slumber. I use the time to catch up on a fewmore files, choosing only those I won’t have to replay more than twice to understand.
An hour later, muffins cool on the racks, Aubrey’s still asleep—I’ll give her another thirty minutes—my phone pings with a text.
Pausing the audio in my ear, I check it. Just the sender’s name kicks up butterflies in my abdomen.
Walsh
Tomorrow still good? Please say it is because it’s all Lennon’s talked about this week. She may be more excited about coming to your house than she is about skating tonight. Which is kinda a big deal. For the sake of my sanity, please don’t cancel
A hearty laugh tumbles out of me until I remember to cover my mouth to not wake Aubrey. Even though she’s in the other room, the walls are thin, and the space is small.
I’m not sure my flirty banter of pretending to cancel would come across in a text message, so I give him the truth.
Yes, still good. What do you guys want for lunch?
I was going to grab sandwiches at the deli by Aspenridge. What do you and Aubrey want? Does she eat sandwiches? They have grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, all kinds of deli meats. Actually, let me send you the menu
I keep my giggle low at the way he writes his text as if speaking. And I can hear his voice in my head. His throaty intonation, unique to Walsh.
Thankfully, another message brings me out of my head and reroutes my thoughts.
*Link*
No rush. Just before 11 tomorrow so I have time to order and grab it after class
K
I bite my bottom lip into my mouth, my fingers hovering over the keyboard for what I really want to ask. He kinda implied he’d be staying, if that’s what he meant by his “so we can crash here again” when we set it up. “We” means the two of them, right? I’ve been banking on that since last Friday, which is why I’m hesitant now. Because if he tells me he’s just dropping her off and bolting, I may feel a lot like Lennon would have had I said no about tomorrow.
Hope it’s okay I’m inviting myself for lunch. But if you prefer it just be the girls, that’s fine too
“No.” My beliefs so strong on the subject, I speak aloud to the empty room. I compose myself before I all but beg him to do other things besides having lunch.
Feel free to stay.
And thanks for lunch. I’ll let you know what we want later tonight.
