Fallon
“Spitters are quitters,” Kam announces loudly as we sit on the stools around the massive island in Tanner’s oversized gourmet kitchen.
“Keep your voice down,” I chastise. “Bailey is sleeping. She had a long day.”
The past six weeks have been unconventional, to say the least. Bailey spent about two weeks in the hospital getting more surgeries, recovering, and beginning her physical and occupational therapy.
I was basically doing four jobs. I needed to wind down my real job so I could take a hiatus, oversee Bailey’s in-hospital PT, make sure all the right equipment was delivered to Tanner’s house, and be the full-time parent to Harper because Tanner wouldn’t leave Bailey for one second in the hospital.
Though getting to be with Harper every single night has been a joy.
The worst part of divorce is feeling like you’re missing so much time with your child.
I’ve been with her every night over the past six weeks, and it’s been glorious.
We’ve all lived at Tanner’s for the past month, and it’s chaotic. I wanted to dislike Kamryn based on her actions at the hospital, but I don’t. Frankly, her outrageous sense of humor and deep love for Bailey are keeping me sane.
Together, she and I work with Bailey in the gym, where, for hours, she works hard every morning.
Kam doesn’t miss a single session. Bailey wants to be pushed to the max, so that’s what we’re giving her.
Her progress is nothing short of a miracle, but bad days happen from time to time.
You can’t always see the progress every single day, and she has her down moments.
Kam is always there, cheering her on and never letting her get too low.
Their sisterly bond only makes me ache that much more over the fact that Harper doesn’t have a sibling.
Bailey and Kam’s teammates are often around as well. The Anacondas, Philly’s pro softball team, are a true sisterhood. It’s a thing of beauty.
Bailey’s afternoons include OT and usually a nap from exhaustion.
It gives Kam and me a lot of time alone together.
Tanner was initially present, but with the way he and Kam bicker, we had to force him to go to his office for a few hours a day to maintain some peace and quiet around here. It’s best for Bailey this way.
My friends help with carpooling Harper to and from school and activities, as well as making sure she’s not as homebound as the rest of us. They pop in here and there to give me a few much-needed laughs.
My other saving grace has been my nightly conversations with Lloyd.
He may be the sweetest man in existence.
He’s never once pushed for us to meet in person, knowing I have a lot on my plate right now.
He doesn’t know exactly what but does know it’s major.
He never pries into anything I don’t want to talk about.
We both get into our respective beds with a glass of wine and chat on the app for hours every night, discussing topics ranging from our childhoods to our dreams. While this is a weird way to get to know someone, I’ve enjoyed it.
There’s no pressure or expectations. We’re two lonely people filling a void for the other.
Maybe one day we’ll meet, and maybe we won’t.
Either way, I’m thankful for this time with him. I’m thankful for the outlet.
Reggie crosses her arms at Kam’s spitters are quitters comment.
“Whatever. I still get the job done. I just don’t eat the raw baby batter after twenty-plus years of marriage.
He should be happy I still lick the love handle.
” She looks at me. “What about you? You’re not a young one like Kam. After all these years, you must spit.”
I give her a small smile and shrug my shoulders. “No one likes a quitter, Reg.” I scrunch my face. “It’s kind of unladylike to spit.”
Kam barks out a laugh. “A lady never spits semen,” she announces in a British accent. “I think the queen once said that.”
I nod. “Yep, I’m pretty sure it’s engraved on her tombstone.”
The three of us giggle until Kam winces and rubs her ass. “Shit, what did I do to my ass when we were working out today? It hurts right around the entrance.”
Reggie deadpans, “That’s an exit. As long as you keep calling it an entrance, it will probably continue hurting.
Maybe try changing the traffic pattern. And that’s what you get for working out.
My personal favorite exercise is a cross between a lunge and a crunch.
It’s called lunch.” She runs her hands down her curvy figure, currently covered in scrubs from work.
“You two may look like Barbie, but I prefer to be called Carbie.”
Kam and I share bemused glances. We try not to laugh too much at Reggie’s self-deprecating jokes, though some of them are so damn funny.
Just then, the front door opens. Harper and her girlfriends, Dylan, Andie, and Piper, walk through with Amanda just behind them.
Harper runs up to me. “Is Bails awake?”
Bailey is the first person she wants to see when she gets home each day. They play card games in Bailey’s room before dinner. It makes both of them happy to have that special time together.
“No, sweetie, she’s still sleeping. Let’s keep it down. She’s had a long day.”
“Is she exhaustipated?”
I turn and narrow my eyes at Kam. Kam is probably one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.
She doesn’t sleep at night and is always on her computer.
She must be studying something during those late nights because there’s nothing she doesn’t know.
And this includes the Urban Dictionary. While amused by Harper’s extensive vocabulary, Kam also teaches her the more PG-rated Urban Dictionary terms. It drives Tanner nuts. I’m pretty sure that’s why Kam does it.
I sigh. “Dare I ask? What does exhaustipated mean?”
Harper answers, “When you’re too exhausted to give a sh—poop.”
I shake my head. “No, she’s just plain exhausted. You know how hard she’s working to get better.”
Harper nods. “Kam said Bails is like Hawkgirl.” That’s Harper’s new favorite Justice League superhero.
“She sure is,” I answer, not really knowing who Hawkgirl is but assuming it’s fine.
Amanda looks at Dylan and Andie. “Girls, you only have fifteen minutes here. Andie, Daddy got us tickets to the basketball game tonight.” Her eyes widen. “Actually, Harper, you’re welcome to my ticket. Would you like to go?”
Harper’s eyebrows scrunch in confusion. “Basketball? But the Beavers’ season is over.”
I can’t help the big grin on my face. “Sweetie, sometimes boys play basketball too.”
“Oh,” Harper says as her shoulders fall. “No, I’ll stay home. I want to hang with Bails.”
Kam smirks at me. “I love that it didn’t even occur to her that the men are playing.”
I nod in agreement. Harper is lucky to be surrounded by strong female athletes all the time.
She loves going to their softball games, never missing a home game.
Personally, I’m a basketball girl and love watching the Beavers’ games.
Harper came to a bunch of their games this summer, but softball has her heart.
She and Andie are on a softball team together.
Bailey coaches them with some assistance from Kam, though I’m not sure Bailey will be physically capable this spring. Only time will tell.
Piper wraps her arms around Reggie’s waist. “Mommy, my teacher asked me if you took Tylenol when you were pregnant with me. Did you?”
Reggie rolls her eyes in annoyance. “Only when I was hungover.”
Amanda and I laugh, but Piper appears confused, as she often is with Reggie’s wiseass remarks.
We hear Bailey’s voice call out, so all the kids go running to her first-floor bedroom to see her.
Reggie sighs. “This teacher is really pissing me off. She said she thinks Piper has a learning issue based on her homework last week. It was me. I did her homework. Anyway, thanks for grabbing her, Amanda. It was the only way I’d have time to see Fallon. I appreciate it.”
Amanda smiles. “Of course.”
Piper is a year older than Harper, Dylan, and Andie, and therefore not as close as the three stooges. She’s very shy, especially compared to her mom’s boisterous personality.
Amanda rubs my back. “How are you holding up?”
I force a small smile. “I’m fine.”
Kam’s eyes toggle between the three of us. “Do you want me to give you three some privacy?”
I shrug. “Not necessary. It’s no secret that Tanner is different with your sister than he was when he was married to me. It’s not breaking news. Sometimes I have a moment when I wonder why I never saw this side of him, but I ultimately want him to be happy.”
Kam’s face drops. “Are you still in love with him?”
I shake my head. “No, not like you’re thinking.
When you’ve truly loved someone, even if they broke your heart, you want them to be happy.
It shouldn’t be about revenge or punishment for a perceived wrong.
You can be hurt, but if you loved them, you’ll always want the best for them.
I know I’m not best for him, but I think your sister is.
I’m hoping to one day find that someone who’s best for me.
” I look at my concerned friends and widen my eyes. “So stop worrying. I’m fine.”
Kam reaches over and squeezes my hand. “If you need some action, feel free to stop by my room. Busty blondes are my type.”
Kam is bisexual, and even though she’s with Cheetah and he sleeps here with her most nights, she’s got a little crush on me and isn’t shy about it.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I joke.
Just then, my phone rings. I see that it’s my mother. I motion for everyone to be quiet. I haven’t told her I’m living here. She’d flip her shit if she found out. Fortunately, they’re snowbirds this year, so they’re not around to discover my secret.
I walk into the living room for some privacy before I answer. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. How are you?”
“I’m good. How’s Florida?”