Page 77 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“Hey.”
Addison narrowed his eyes, clearly confused by my expression.
“Mia, are we okay? I’ve been trying to call you, but I believed you blocked me,” he said.
I removed my phone from my purse and searched his name- sure enough, he was blocked. My mind flashed back to the day Marcus had my phone.
“I didn’t block you… but I know who did,” I said, sucking my teeth.
“Your boyfriend?” he questioned.
My mouth parted as I struggled to find words. “He is…”
“Someone special to you,” Addison interrupted. “And he marked his territory.”
I glanced around, diverting my attention, unable to speak. He reached for my hand, and kissed it.
“I know a woman in love. It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Robinson.”
Addison turned and walked away and I hoped he found someone to love him the way he deserved.
Forty-five minutes later, I sat in the craft store parking lot, marveling at the basket I made for Harley. I bought the biggest basket in the store and loaded it with paint, a personalized cup kit, no-sew blanket, and snacks. I placed it in the back seat wrapped and a ribbon on top. Everybody was taken care ofincluding Marcus, I spent a total of thirty thousand dollars on his wardrobe. The bulk of the order will be delivered in a week.
As I inched up in the pickup line, I saw her talking to another student. It warmed my spirit to see her smiling again. This morning when we walked her to class, several things were happening at the same time. The staff pointed at Marcus and broke out their phones, while several of Harley’s classmates were trying to take in his size. I informed Mrs. Turner what this morning’s events were and gave her my number, just in case. She provided me with her email and classroom phone number in return.
On my turn, I pulled up and rolled down my window. Mrs. Turner gave me a thumbs up and I exhaled. My hands danced along the locks to give them access to my back seat. I twisted to the back seat to greet Harley.
“Hey, Butterfly,” I said as she climbed in.
“Hi, Mrs. Mia. Whose basket is this?” she asked.
I chuckled, allowing the teacher to shut the door before I answered. “Put on your seat belt and I will tell you.”
The seat belt clicked before I migrated out of the school zone at a snail’s pace.
“The basket is yours, Harley. I know you are sad about Granny, which is okay. We can always talk about it. Growing up, when I was sad, my mom always made me a feel better basket. I made you one,” I said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Mia,” she said with a squeal.
By the time we made it home and unloaded her feel better basket, the groceries had come. With Harley at the tabledecorating her cup, I unloaded the ground beef, garlic bread, seasoning, and a few other items. Tonight, dinner would be quick and simple: baked spaghetti, fresh garlic bread, and a side salad. Thankfully, Mrs. Eddy showed me how to move around in her kitchen before she left. I seasoned the ground beef before I put a saucepan on a low simmer.
The front door opening pulled the attention to Marcus. He kissed my cheek first before he headed to Harley.
“Daddy, Ms. Mia made me a feel better basket. And I’m making myself a cup and there are some patches. We are going to make matching hats. And we’re making Granny a tie blanket.”
I snickered every time she added the word “and” to start each sentence. Marcus listened and examined a few of the items. Those two together sent my maternal instincts soaring.
“Princess, let’s clean off the table. Put your items away and wash up for dinner,” he instructed.
Harley packed up her items with his help and headed to her room. Two hands soon enclosed around me as I stood at the stove.
“Thank you, baby. For everything,” he said lowly, and I grinned upward, puckering my lips.
He honored my request for a kiss.
“Go wash up and I’ll take care of dinner,” I instructed, but he didn’t budge.
“I was away from you too long today,” he said, and I chuckled.
