Page 61 of Off the Stick
“What’s that, Mama?”Lenni asks as she hands it to me, just as curious as I am to find out what’s inside.
I unlock the front door and look around to see if a delivery truck is in the neighborhood.“I’m not sure.I don’t remember ordering anything.”
Lenni sprints inside the minute the door swings open, running toward the kitchen to wait for the midmorning snack I promised her in the car.I follow behind and deposit the bags of groceries onto the counter, eyeing the envelope in my hand.
It’s light and has the Vancouver Vikings logo at the top.Odd, because I’m not expecting anything from work.I suppose it could be some leftover new employee benefit information, but the contents don’t weigh much.
I set Lenni up at the table and get her some Goldfish crackers and the sliced apples from the fridge, and she digs in ravenously, as if she’s never tasted food before.I chuckle at the similarities between her and Dane in that department.Then, unable to contain my burning curiosity any longer, I tear it open and extract a folded note.
Inside, a ticket and a VIP pass are attached together inside with a paperclip.
The note reads:
Dear Halle,
Game is at 1 p.m.I have arranged for a driver to pick you and Lenni up at noon.(Don’t worry, the car is equipped with a newly installed kids car seat.) She will be dropped off at the Lundrens’ house, where the nanny will take good care of the girls.You and Helena will then be routed to Cale’s house to pick up his wife, Sommer, and you’ll all sit in the Vikings’ friends and family seats.You’ll receive passes for downstairs and the family lounge—Helena knows how it works, so don’t worry—where we’ll join you post-game.
I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight.
Root for #25 tonight.
Dane
Butterflies flitter in my belly and then turn to anxious flutters when I check the time on my phone.Son of a biscuit!It’s already eleven a.m.and I need to shower and get myself ready, as well as get together a bag for Lenni to bring.
Then I’m struck with a thought.Will we need overnight bags?Is there a sleepover planned?
Will I be staying the night with Dane?
Nerves ricochet through my bloodstream over the chance—although slim—that I might sleep with Dane.It’s been a long time.He’s literally my first and my last since having Lenni.
“Hey, sweet pea?”
“Yeah, Mama?”she says through a nibble of a cracker.
“We need to hurry up and get ready to go because we’re going to have a fun adventure this afternoon.”
Her face lights up with a bright toothy grin.“Weally?Where are we going?Disneyland?”
I can’t contain the laughter that bubbles up from my throat.My sweet little girl is in love with all things Disney princess and since learning about the happiest place on Earth, it’s all she ever wants to do and talk about.The Sleeping Beauty Castle is number one on her list.
“Not Disneyland today, baby.But remember your new friend Elise?”
“Uh-huh.”
I get a washcloth from the drawer, wet it in the sink, and do a quick cleanup of Lenni’s face and hands.
“Well, you get to play at her house today.Won’t that be fun?”
Suddenly, her features grow serious with a scrunch of her face.“Will you be there, Mama?”
Although she’s come out of her shell considerably since starting at the Vikings daycare, there have been a few times during her drop-offs where she’s gotten very emotional and clingy.
I suppose it’s natural and just a stage she’s going through, but it makes my heart hurt so much to have to let go of my baby.It’s the perils of parenthood.
I stroke a hand over her shiny—albeit tangly—blond hair and offer an encouraging smile.
“No, honey.I’m going with the grown-ups to the hockey game.”
