Page 51 of Pucked Up Plans
Please, kids. Just wait.
Lennon picks up the pace when she spots me, enthusiasm saturating her face. It’s the same reaction I get every Friday when I haven’t seen her since Wednesday morning. Sometimes Tuesday night if I have an early practice or study group. Which was the case this week.
I squat down, my arms open in anticipation of her flinging herself at me. “Missed you, Squirt. How was your day?” I cuddle her close, ignoring her squeals of protest of “too tight,” soaking her up as long as she’ll allow it.
“It was a boring day. ‘Cept for recess. So fun.”
“At least your day wasn’t entirely boring. Glad to know my money’s being well spent.”
Mom comes over. Lennon squirms down out of my arms and rushes over to her.
“Mimi, you came. Let’s find Aubrey so you can meet her.” She grabs Mom’s hand in hers and yanks her toward Tate andAubrey, calling out so they don’t leave before she can get to them. I trail behind, my mind already conjuring up what Tate and I can do with a couple of free hours this afternoon and early evening.
“Aubrey, this is Mimi. Mimi, this is my friend Aubrey. Say hello.”
I roll my eyes at the way she orders my mother around. In all fairness, it’s how her mother introduces her to most people. It should come as no surprise Lennon picked it up. How many bad habits has she picked up from me?
Not answering that.
Mom plays along. “Hello, Aubrey. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so many great things about you from Lennon. I’m Mimi.”
Aubrey stands behind Tate, her head peeking out from the side of her legs.
“Bree, say hello to Lennon’s grandma.” Aubrey gives a tiny wave.
As the scene plays out, the bubbles of hope and excitement inside me wane. I truly don’t think Tate will have a problem with Aubrey coming to our house, but I didn’t consider Aubrey not wanting to go with a stranger to an unfamiliar place without her mother.
Hmm. A monkey wrench in my plan.
“Mimi, can Aubrey come to our house for a playdate today? I’ll be extra good at bedtime. Please?”
I love when my kid can read my mind. It’s definitely a gift we share. Ma gives me a look, a cross between “how the hell did you get her to do that” and “why am I not surprised?”
“I think Daddy has some errands to run, but if it’s okay with Aubrey’s mom, we’d love to have her come play with us.”
Holding my breath, I glance at Tate, remembering she hasn’t yet met my mother.
“Tate, this is my mother, Millie. Ma, Tate, Aubrey’s mom.”And the woman I want to fuck while you watch our kids,I elaborate nonverbally.
Jeez. My mind is on a one-way track to hell.
Maybe it won’t be so bad if Tate’s with me for the ride.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Keeley.”
Ma frowns. “Millie, please. Mrs. Keeley is my mother-in-law.”
Tate’s face tints pink, becoming more endearing. “Oh, um, okay.”
Lennon reminds us why we’re still standing in the parking lot. “Tate, can Aubrey come play at my house? You and Mimi can have a chat. Like you did with Keeley at your house.”
“Or,” I interject expectedly, “you could help me with my errands.”
Tate’s demeanor turns questioning as she ponders my suggestion. She doesn’t understand “errands” is code for sex. With her. At her empty condo.
Instead of answering either of us, she squats down to Aubrey’s level. “Do you want to play at Lennon’s house?”
Not able to stop myself, I disclose, “Mimi’s making meatloaf for dinner,” hoping it’s enough of an enticement to convince her to go.
