I much prefer boring, let me tell you. I dealt with both Rose and Noli through their teenage years, when hormones were raging, and tempers were flaring, and life was the opposite of boring. Noli threw all of Rose’s clothes out our apartment window at one point. All because Rose kept leaving socks on the ground. It was brutal, and we barely made it through without murdering each other.
I’m only two years older than Rose, which makes me three-and-a-half years older than Noli, but you grow up quick when your mom dies in a freak car accident, your father abandons you, and the grandmother who took you in passes peacefully away in her sleep three years later.
Let’s just say, I’ve had enough tumult in my life to last me a good, long while. At the risk of sounding like a killjoy, I’ll take boring any day of the week.
At least when life is boring, nothing is hanging in the balance.
Noli: Yeah, yeah. That’s why I need to live vicariously through you two. How’s the dreamboat? How is driving his fancy car??
I roll my eyes.
Poppy: You make it sound like I’m using Holland for his car, which I’m not. He’s very generously letting us borrow it. And he’s good, thank you for asking!
Silly beads of sweat pop up along my hairline. IthinkHolland’s good. We’ve texted, and he sounds good—excited about his golf game and his upcoming tournament play. I can’t help but second-guess every one of our interactions, though. Am I being supportive enough? Am I giving him enough space? I don’t know how to date a pro-athlete. I still can’t believe Iamdating a pro-athlete. Like, why would Holland want to date little ol’ me? It’s all so surreal, and this relationship has been such a whirlwind it feels sort of fake.
Hopefully he has a chance to respond to my first email sometime soon. I told him there was no rush and he should check that account and reply when he’s able, but it’ll put my mind at ease when he writes to me.
Rose: In other news, Poppy met Holland’s brother, Mack, while she was wearing nothing but a towel.
Noli: OH! Juicy!
I feel the heat flood my cheeks.
Poppy: Hardly. I blame The Downer—which, ironically, Mack owns, so it was his fault. I blame him.
Noli: That is totally something that would happen to you, Pops. I can see it now.
Rose: Don’t picture it! I’m still scarred from the experience.
Noli: Bahahahaha.
Poppy: Glad I can provide you two goons with some comic relief.
I glance out into the hallway because I can feel Lou and Patrick staring at me. When I meet their gaze, they look away, pretending to be very interested in the bulletin board Heather has arrayed with all the Parks and Rec programming information. Patrick points to one of the flyers, and Lou nods like he totally thinks they should take in that activity. I narrow my eyes.
I studied that bulletin board and have it memorized. (What can I say? I like to be prepared!) And I know for a fact that that particular flyer is for the mommy stroller warriors.
Poppy: As much as I’d love to continue to listen to your mocking, I’ve got to get back to work. Keep in touch, Noli.
My hand hovers over the keys, but then I thinkscrew it,and type out what I’m thinking.
Poppy: And behave down there! Let me know if you need anything.
Noli: Yes, Mom!
Poppy: You love me!
Noli: I do!
Rose: Love you both!
Noli: Byeeeeeee
I send a quick kissing-face emoji and then stow my phone in my desk. Patrick and Lou have moved away from the bulletin board that’s right outside my office door. I hope they didn’t think I was ignoring them. I’d like to chat, but I pull up my calendar and curse under my breath. My conversation with Noli and Rose ate up all the time I was going to use to prepare for the meeting I have with the volunteers who’ll be chaperoning the zoo trip the P&R department has scheduled for next week. Heather has put me in charge, though she’s still in the office. Her words:I draw the line at chasing children around the zoo at nine months pregnant.And honestly, good on her.
I’m excited to go, but I want to make a good impression on the volunteers, so I need to hurry.
I chug the rest of my coffee, tuck my tablet in my bag, and head out the door, pausing to lock my office. I have enough time to swing into the bathroom before I head to the meeting room. Patrick and Lou are talking to Abner, who is in charge of the Street Department in Cashmere Cove. They glance up at me as I approach.
