36. Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Jamison
“W hat’s wrong, princess?” Darcie had been sitting at the kitchen counter for at least fifteen minutes and hadn’t even touched her peanut butter toast. She just kept picking at the crust. “You need to eat. We have to leave in a few minutes.”
“I know,” she said as she continued picking at the crust.
It was the first day of kindergarten. She had been excited all summer for this day to come, and now that it was here, she looked forlorn. It broke my heart.
“Hey, you know I’ll be there as soon as school’s out, and we’re going with James and Uncle Bryson for ice cream.”
She nodded.
“What’s wrong? Talk to me, princess.”
“What if Madeline and Lena find new friends and don’t talk to me anymore?”
I breathed out, relieved that was the only issue.
“Princess, all three of you are in the same class. You’re best friends. I’m know it will all be just fine. It’s the other girls who will be wanting to be friends with the three of you.” I pushed her peanut butter toast closer to her. “Now hurry up and eat. We’re leaving in five minutes.” I wiped the counter and straightened up the kitchen. I was anxious to get going. It’d been almost a week since I’d seen Lilly. She hadn’t gone to the Friday night barbecue, and I hadn’t seen her around town.
If I got to the school early enough, she wouldn’t be able to avoid me.
I zipped Darcie’s lunch box and placed it in her backpack. “Gotta go.”
She drank her milk and wiped her mouth on her napkin as I opened the door and rushed her into the garage.
The drive to the school was quiet, and soon, I pulled into the parking lot. I parked, as we were allowed to walk them in on the first day and glanced around. No sign of Lilly’s car. It was 7:30. The doors had just opened for drop off, so I hadn’t missed her.
I hopped out and opened Madeline’s door. “Ready?”
She nodded and climbed out, her face pensive or as pensive as a five-year-old could be. She grabbed my hand as we walked across the parking lot and up the walk toward the main entrance.
Katrina Bloggins, a second-grade teacher and someone I knew from my high school years, opened the door when we approached. “Hi, Jamison.” She greeted us with a big, toothy smile.
“Good morning, Katrina,” I responded. Katrina and I dated very briefly in high school. She’d gotten divorced after a short marriage stint and had been hitting on me ever since Carly’s death. No matter what I said to her, she never took the hint that I wasn’t interested.
She brushed her hair behind her shoulder before she crouched and addressed Darcie. “Hi there, Darcie. Are you excited to start kindergarten?”
Darcie shrugged and looked behind her.
Katrina stood. “I’m sure she’ll have a great first day.”
“Madeline!” Darcie’s sour demeanor evaporated instantly, and my heart skipped a few beats as Madeline and Lilly joined us in the doorway.
“Good morning, Lilly.” Katrina’s sweet-as-pie voice gained an edge of bitterness. I lifted a brow, but she didn’t notice as we entered the school.
Darcie grabbed Madeline’s hand. “I’m glad you’re here.” She got close to her ear. “I was nervous,” she attempted to whisper, though we all heard her.
“Good morning.” I smiled at Lilly and caught a whiff of her perfume. I itched to reach out and touch her. Well, I really itched to kiss her soft, plump lips, but I’d have to pass. “How are you holding up so far?”
She shrugged one shoulder and tilted her head briefly. “I’m getting by.” Her smile lit up her face. “It’s good to see you.”
Those words lifted my spirits instantly. “You too.”
“Daddy, we gotta go.” Darcie was hopping from one foot to another.
“Yeah, Mommy. Come on.” The girls started down the hall leading to the lower grades, and we followed.
“Lilly, Jamison.” Rose caught up to us, and Lena met the girls. They all entered the room together and found their cubbies easily.
It didn’t take long until Darcie and Lena were settled and on the carpet. All nerves were gone from Darcie, though Madeline had a hard time separating from Lilly.
“Hey, Maddie,” I said to her as I gently peeled her arms from Lilly’s neck. “You’re going to have so much fun today, and if it’s okay with your mommy, you can go get ice cream after school with Darcie and James and tell us all about your day. What do you think?”
Her large brown eyes were bloodshot, but she bravely wiped away the tears with the back of her hands as she nodded. Darcie and Lena came to their friend’s rescue. “Good, I’ll see you after school. Why don’t you wave goodbye to Mommy and go sit with Darcie and Lena. I know you’re going to have a great day.”
She looked at me from behind her long lashes and gave my waist a hug, then gave Lilly another long hug, and finally went off with the girls.
I turned to Lilly, whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and did the only thing I knew to do. “Come on.” I took her hand in mine and led her to the privacy of the hallway and pulled her into a hug. I wasn’t sure how she’d react, but I relaxed when her arms locked around my neck and her head lay gently on my shoulder.
“It looks like someone’s having a hard time.” It was Bryson. Lilly pulled away and sniffed.
Darlene dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and handed one to Lilly.
“Don’t worry,” Bryson said. “You’re not the only one having a difficult time with separation anxiety.” Bryson pulled Darlene to his side. “And this one needs to gather herself and get to her classroom.”
Darlene gave him a quick kiss. “I do need to go. I’ll check on them later and let y’all know how they’re doing.” Darlene said her goodbyes and walked to her classroom at the other end of the small building.
“Well, I gotta run as well. High school doesn’t stop for anyone.” He squeezed Lilly’s arm. “Hang in there, Lill. They’ll be graduating soon.”
“Oh, goodness, Bryson,” Rose said to his retreating back.
“Thanks, y’all, for everything,” Lilly said as we walked down the hall and out the door.
“Call me if you need to talk,” Rose said. “I’ve got to go.” She held Lilly’s gaze and glanced at me quickly, then back to Lilly. “You good?”
Lilly nodded with a small smile.
“K. Love you.”
“Love you back,” Lilly answered.
We walked in silence to Lilly’s car. I put my hands in my pocket because I wasn’t sure if she wanted any more physical touch. At her car, I opened the door for her.
She sighed and looked up at me, her eyes clearer than they were earlier. “Thank you, Jamison.” She put her hand on my chest, and a shock went straight to my heart. She must have felt something, too, because she picked her hand up almost instantly and climbed into her car.
As soon as she started it, desperation flowed through me. I didn’t want her to go so quickly, so I knocked on her window, and she rolled it down. “Would you like to go to Orlinda Valley Drugs and grab a quick breakfast or at least a cup of coffee?” I knew she might say no, but I had to try.
It felt like forever before she nodded, and when she did, I let out a breath.
Thank you, Lord.
It wasn’t an admission of love, but I’d take it.