The ground was cold, just like I expected. But after we started running around it didn’t feel that cold anymore.
Miller tossed the football at Jacob.
Jacob dodged it. He was not great at catching the football yet. I was happy that he was scared of the ball. I hadn’t had great experience with football players. The thought hit me like a brick.
It was Thanksgiving. And I hadn’t thought about Matt until just now. Thanksgivings were usually the hardest on me, remembering my fight with him. But honestly? I barely remembered our fight. I barely remembered the way his voice sounded. I could barely picture his face. And I couldn’t even remember the last time that he’d interrupted my thoughts.
I watched as Miller pretended to tackle Jacob.
Jacob squealed at the top of his lungs as they rolled into the grass.
It was easy to forget the past when your present made your heart so full. I laughed and ran over to my family.
Miller sat up, pulling Jacob into his lap. “Okay, champ. Do you want to be on my team or Mommy’s?” He tossed me the ball and I caught it.
Jacob pointed at Miller.
“Hey, no teaming up against me,” I said. I tossed the ball back at Miller, who caught it with one hand.
Miller smiled at me and then looked back down at our son. “See those two trees over there?”
Jacob nodded.
“That’s the endzone we’re running to. And between the garden and that tree is the endzone Mommy’s running to.”
Jacob nodded.
“You ready?”
“Yessie.” Jacob climbed off his lap.
Miller handed him the ball and then whispered something in his ear.
Jacob giggled and then started running as fast as he could with the ball.
“Hey!” I called after him. “You didn’t say hike!”
Jacob ran through the trees.
And even though my husband and son were a bunch of cheaters, I cheered at the top of my lungs. “Touchdown!”
Jacob threw the ball on the ground and started to dance.
I smiled over at Miller.
He smiled back and pushed himself off the ground. He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the fake endzone and we all started dancing together.
“Mommy,” Jacob said and handed me the ball.
Miller took a step toward me.
No way were they the only ones scoring touchdowns today. I started sprinting in the opposite direction. Before I was even a quarter of the way to my endzone, Miller grabbed me around the waist.
I thought he was going to tackle me into the grass, but instead he lifted me over his shoulder and sprinted toward the opposite endzone.
“Ah!” My weight shifted, my hands moving to his ass.
I heard him chuckle.
