She'd said that flippantly, making me think she had no intention of considering that idea. Not that it mattered. We were roommates for the summer. Reconnecting with an old flame wasn't realistic.
The calendar had the senior center's volunteer meeting on the schedule for Saturday morning, and I was careful not to mention it otherwise. Hayden had to be the one who wanted to go. It was earlier than she normally woke up, so I assumed she wouldn’t get up in time to to leave.
I'd already gone for my run, showered, and made breakfast. I was sitting down to eat when Hayden's door opened, and she appeared in the kitchen already showered, wearing a T-shirt and jean shorts.
Surprised, I asked, "Do you want breakfast?"
"I'll just eat a granola bar." She grabbed one from the pantry, and I refrained from telling her that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, and she shouldn't be eating processed foods, but even I knew that made me sound annoying.
She stood at the counter, eating her bar while I ate my egg and avocado toast. When she was finished, she grabbed a bottled water and drank from it. "Can we go to that thing?"
I blinked. "What thing?"
She nodded toward the calendar. "The volunteer thing at the senior center."
"Oh, that?" I asked, glancing at the tablet where our schedule was illuminated. The only thing on there was the senior center, so I couldn't pretend I didn't know what she was talking about. "Do you want me to drive you?"
She glanced at the ticking clock hanging on the wall in the kitchen, pursing her lips. "I don't have time to walk."
I shoveled in the last of my eggs. "Let me clear my plate, and then we'll go." As I rinsed off the dish, Hayden asked, "Is Saylor going?"
"She didn't say anything about her plans for the day." She'd gone shell hunting early this morning and then disappeared into her room.
We made our way to the door when Saylor jogged downstairs. "Are you going to the senior center? Can I ride with you?"
"Of course," I said as I opened the door for them. "Did you want something to eat? I can put the eggs in a wrap for you."
Saylor smiled. "That would be great. Thank you."
I handed Saylor the truck keys and hurried into the kitchen to wrap the still-warm eggs in a tortilla. Outside, I handed Saylor the burrito and started the truck.
I didn't comment on our plans for the morning. I was afraid to do or say anything that would change Hayden's mind about going to the center. I hoped she'd meet some friends on the island, and it would lessen the frustration with being away from home.
If she had friends here, she might be more willing to visit me here too. So much was riding on this summer; it had my stomach tied up in knots.
Hayden had her earbuds in, and music playing that only she could hear. I was too tense to start up any conversation with Saylor.
I parked in the lot and walked inside, relying on Saylor to lead us to the right location.
"They usually hold meetings in the main meeting room where they host bingo and other events."
Blaire approached us at the doorway. "Oh, good. You're here." She grabbed Hayden's hand and tugged her toward the table where a few other teenagers were already seated. There were boys and girls, all around Hayden's age.
"Was this the right thing to do?" I asked, my eyes on the boys.
Saylor nudged me with her shoulder. "She's only thirteen. Relax."
Tension crept into my shoulders. "I don't even know if she's into boys. Shouldn't I know?"
Saylor rolled her eyes. "Relax, Dad. You're going to push her away."
I ran a hand through my hair. "Should we hang out or disappear?"
"You can help me with something outside." Saylor led me down the hall and outside where there were two Kingston Construction trucks.
"What are my brothers doing here?" I asked, a little uneasy. I hadn't had a heart-to-heart with them since I'd been back.
"They're building more flower beds. They did the front lawn last year. Phyllis wants different areas where people can congregate and enjoy the view."
