Page 85 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“Bestie, can you get me the details of the team hotel? Can me, Harley, and my parents sit in the box with you guys?” I said.
“Sure, I’ll add you a room to the team account.”
“Can you make it two rooms? Mom and Dad are going to want to come as well,” I said.
I knew when I requested to use Daddy’s jet; he was going to ask why and then invite himself along.
“Mia and Marcus,” Kindness said in an inquisitive manner.
She always had a way of prying a secret out of me, but I held the advantage with us being over the phone.
“Don’t you start,” I warned as I giggled.
“Oh, we have four-quarters to talk in New Orleans,” she said.
“Goodbye, friend. Thank you for the hookup,” I said, and she giggled as we hung up.
I emailed Harley’s teacher, letting her know she will not be at school for the next two days. Kindness messaged me the information about the hotel, including his room number and two additional rooms. After a careful search, I found a gift basket company and placed a rush order with custom items for Marcus. I didn’t add his name for privacy and scheduled it to be delivered to the front desk.
“Okay, Mom. We are almost ready. I love you, too. Bye,” I said as I walked down the hall.
Mom and Dad invited themselves to the game after I called them this morning. They all of a sudden didn’t have any plans for this Thursday night. I didn’t argue, but instead, I prepared for them to come along.
“Harley, are you ready?” I said as I tapped her bedroom door.
With her back facing me, she zipped her backpack but turned with unsettling, sad eyes.
“Ms. Mia, are you sure Daddy won’t get mad about me missing two days of school?” she asked.
Kneeling, I took her hands. “No, because as an adult, I made the decision to pull you out of school. Daddy will not be mad and if he does, I will tickle him,” I said and tickled her rib cage.
The laughter escaping her mouth brought the lighthearted atmosphere back into the room. I could tell Marcus wasn’t himself last night on the phone. Regardless of the affirmations, the sadness in his eyes remained. I knew going to the game was the right decision.
“Our car is outside,” I said, and Harley popped on her sunglasses.
I suppressed my laughter as we walked to the front door with our rolling luggage. As the driver pulled into the private airstrip, I received the delivery confirmation for the feel better basket I sent him. It pays to know the owner of the team.
“Ms. Mia, where is the line?” Harley asked as we walked toward the plane steps.
“We are flying private. There are no lines.”
“Private?” she questioned, and I smiled.
Stopping in front of the steps, I kneeled. “My daddy owns this plane, and we are hitching a ride with him.”
Harley’s mouth parted as her head motioned from side to side, taking in the size of the plane.
“Wow,” she said.
“Flying private means only the people who are invited can fly on the plane,” I said.
“Harley,” my mother said from the top of the steps.
At the mention of her name, Harley giggled at my mother. For some reason, she found her funny, but she wouldn’t tell me why. I helped her up the steps and right into my mother’s arms.
Stepping inside, I followed Mom and Harley to the back. My father sat in the plush cream leather seats, scrolling through hisphone. I leaned in and kissed his cheek, and he smiled. Dropping my carry-on bag, I sat facing the back of the plane to keep an eye on Harley. Dad gave the attendant the okay with a hand gesture to prepare to leave.
“I’ve been practicing, Mrs. Robinson. Do you want to see?” Harley said.
