Chapter 14 Bridget #2
“I’ll text you later,” I say, trying to muster a smile for Crow. But I can’t. Can’t look at his gorgeous face, so complicated and caring.
An SUV eases to the curb in front of my house, and Alice, Zoey, and Mia climb out. Mia runs for me, happy and babbling.
“Mama, we had the best time ever. I didn’t want to come home because we have so much more to do, but then we got exciting news. You won’t even believe it.”
I hug my daughter and try to shove aside the emotions and stress of the day.
“Hi, baby. I’m so glad you had fun.” I look at Alice.
“Thank you,” I tell her. I truly mean it.
I am so, so grateful that Mia wasn’t here when James—my dad—showed up.
I can’t even let my mind go back to last night, but Alice is looking from Crow to me, and her face looks a bit troubled.
“Did you guys have a good evening?” she asks gently.
Crow grunts and bends down to look at some artwork that Mia’s brought. She and Zoey are excitedly explaining the pictures.
“We did,” I say but then quickly change the subject. “What’s this exciting news?”
Alice claps her hands together. “Well, all the excitement of the shower yesterday must have made that baby eager to arrive. Lia went into labor in the middle of the night. Her due date is still five weeks away, but the little guy was not to be stopped. Lia gave birth at about five this morning. Mama and baby are doing great.”
I look over at the images on her phone, the wrinkly little red-faced boy in Leo’s arms.
Zoey and Mia have already seen the pictures, but they drop what they’re doing to coo over the little guy again.
“Mama, isn’t he so cute? I can’t wait to be old enough to babysit.” Mia sounds so happy, I feel my own sadness even more acutely.
Even though I just met them yesterday, I’m happy for Leo and Lia. They’re a sweet little family unit, and that’s exactly as it should be. Just hours ago, I was looking at my own baby pictures, and this is another small kick to my already tender heart.
“Did they name him?” I ask.
Alice shakes her head. “Lia wants to try out a few names and see how they feel before they commit.” She laughs, but it’s a loving sound. “That’s so Lia. I wouldn’t be surprised if the boy goes through ten names before they choose Moonstone or something.”
She holds out her phone to show Crow the pictures, and I see the way his face softens. It’s as if the protective shield he put up when he got here is melting away. He smiles but doesn’t say anything.
“That leads me to a small problem,” Alice continues.
“Lia didn’t have time to make arrangements for her business before the baby came.
She was planning to hire a temp to run the doggie day care center part time.
I have an office just two stores down in the strip mall where Lia runs the day care.
I can help you get acclimated, and as long as you’re not afraid of dogs, I thought maybe you’d be open to helping with the Canine Crashpad for a few weeks, maybe longer… ”
She’s looking at me expectantly, and it registers that she’s offering me the one thing I need right now. A job.
“Me?” I ask and look at Crow.
“We’re going to need you too,” she says, tapping Crow on the shoulder. “Leo’s likely going to want to take as much time off as the shop can manage. If you’re available, Crow, I think Tim’s going to need you closer to full time if you can fit it in around your other projects.”
He nods. “Whatever he needs,” he says.
I wonder how Crow feels about that, working in the auto shop instead of his construction plans. And he worked today with Arrow, so I wonder where that leaves everything.
Alice is talking about how much they can pay me, and she explains it won’t have benefits, but Lia was planning on taking at least two to three months off when the baby was born, so if I’m game to give this a try, she’s sure we can talk about anything I need as the weeks go on.
“I can meet you at the day care in the morning,” she says, “if you’re available.”
I appreciate what she doesn’t say, but which I think is implied. If I feel well enough.
“Mama.” Mia looks like someone has just given her a winning lotto ticket. “Are you going to do it? You’re going to work with puppies?”
I look at Alice and consider the opportunity.
My brain is swimming with the developments of the day, and my heart is troubled.
But a job—a paying job—with someone who won’t look badly on my termination, who won’t bother checking references because they already know what they need to know about me… I’d be a fool to pass it up.
“I’d love to,” I say.
Mia and Zoey are high-fiving, and Zoey is explaining everything she knows about dogs, while Crow is standing there looking off… Glum.
Alice texts me the address of the building and tells me when to meet her in the morning. Then she gathers up Zoey and gives us all hugs goodbye.
“Thank you,” she says to me. “Lia’s worked so hard to build this business, and I can help a little here and there, but I’ve got my hands full with the office and…” She grins, and I know she means her own little bean.
“Of course,” I say. “Thank you. This will be great. Really great.”
The more I think about it, the more I feel good about it.
I’ll have a job and a chance to build up great work experience so that Alice and Lia can give me references when she’s ready to come back to work.
I can put the termination behind me, and while I won’t have benefits right away, I can work on figuring out doctors and insurance issues, knowing that I at least will have some income coming in.
“Crow,” Alice says, “you need a ride back?”
He looks at me, his expression dark and unreadable. “I’ve got to return this rental,” he says. “You’ll be driving Mia to school in the morning?” he asks.
I know what he’s implying. If we’re both starting new jobs tomorrow—well, mine will be new, but his will be more hours at the place he’s worked part time—our little routine of him driving Mia to school and spending the day working here… All of that is over.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I’ll drive her.”
Alice is watching our exchange with interest and a noticeable expression of concern.
“I was just heading out before you got here,” Crow says to Alice. “Mind following me to the car rental place?”
“Not at all,” she says. “Zoey, say bye to Mia.”
While Mia and Zoey say goodbye, I stand by and just watch them.
Two sweet, little things untarnished so far by too many of life’s blows.
I know in my heart that’s not true. Crow told me that Alice had a manipulative ex.
And Mia knows disappointment better than anyone, having the dad she’s got.
He’s not much better than the man who showed up on my doorstep today, for that matter.
We’re all just walking through life, bouncing between the heartaches we cause and the ones we carry.
I’m overwhelmed and tired by it all, and I just want a few minutes of normal life.
My daughter and me. No more strangers, no more surprises.
No matter how wonderful most of the people and surprises have been.
Alice and Zoey head for the door, and I thank her again for hosting Mia. “Next time, we’ll have Zoey here,” I promise.
Alice nods and tells me she’ll see me in the morning. Crow says goodbye to Mia, who gives him a warm hug before bouncing upstairs. Then we’re alone.
“Are you…” Crow starts but then changes his mind. “Can I text you later?” he asks.
“Of course.” I want to say more, to explain what happened today, but Alice is waiting, and I’m so worn-out, I just lean against the door and watch him walk to the rental car. He gets in and drives off without even waving goodbye.