Chapter 4 Emmie
EMMIE
“Mom!” Rowan makes a mad dash for me as I get into the gym.
While hugging my boy, I see Creed soften as his two kids run toward him. Jim jumps up into his dad’s arms and Bart gives him a side hug. He squeezes each one in turn, jostles Bart’s hair, and carries Jim outside.
“Get changed and make sure you put your heavy coat on. It’s kinda chilly out.” Rowan smiles at me, then runs toward the locker room.
“You don’t often see single dads who end up with full custody of their kids.
He must be a good guy,” Skylar offers. We’ve been friends since elementary school.
She’s the coordinator of the after-school youth basketball program.
It was started when we were in elementary school, but Skylar just took it over a couple years back.
“He comes across gruff. But I think it’s just an act. He bought bath salts from Rowan during the business fair. What truly heartless man would do that?”
Skylar laughs. “You gonna be at Swish Sisters next week? Pretty soon we take our two-week holiday break.”
“I hope so!”
“Mom, I’m ready!”
“Awesome, kiddo. Let’s get going. See you tonight, Sky?”
“Of course! I have to come watch my favorite singers!” She puts up a fist and Rowan gives her a fist bump before running out of the gym.
“Good luck, bud! You know where to look for me.” And just like that, my son skips off to join his class. I linger in the hallway for just a moment, ensuring he goes in the right door.
It’s crazy how quickly they grow up. Before his Kindergarten Christmas concert, I practically had to pry him off my leg. In first grade, he asked me to stay in the room for a couple minutes. But this year he ran down the hallway and was gone almost before I wished him good luck.
I smile and turn toward the gym. As I get there, I look up at my normal seating area.
Many of my Tuesday night Swish Sisters rec basketball league girls are already there.
Hailey and Luca are there for Theo, Becky and Dexter are there for Betty, Talia and Brock have their arms full with their younger kids, Skylar and Brody are cozied up with their baby, and there’s a couple other Swish Sisters present as well.
I love the little community Skylar built by starting our own Tuesday night basketball league.
“How are you? Rowan’s little booth at the business fair the other day was adorable!” Hailey is super complimentary.
“Hey! I’m good. And yes, he was so excited to sell out! He said nearly every Swish Sister he knew stopped by the booth to buy something. Thank you!”
“No problem! His items legitimately smelled so good! I know how hard the two of you worked on them!”
I take a seat beside Hailey and start looking around at everyone in attendance. It’s normally a full house because you either have a kid in the performance or you know multiple kids.
Bob and Brenda Brooks from the sale barn are in the front row—eager grandparents excited to watch.
Larry and Laura from Larry’s Market are sitting right beside them.
Rita always closes down her restaurant for the night to come watch the kids.
I even see Joe from the bar. And Sheriff William is standing in the doorway to the gym, making his presence known, but also ready to go out the door if he’s called.
That’s when I see Creed walk in. He pauses at the door, and I realize he’s probably never been to the gym before. When he looks my way, I give a little wave, and he starts walking my direction. I feel my heart beating just a bit faster.
“Who is that?!” Hailey all but hisses into my ear.
Trying to act normal, I whisper back, “Creed. He’s got two boys. He’s the new mechanic at Chuck’s Repair.”
“It looks like he’s walking straight toward you!”
“Well, that’s probably because I told him to look for me. He’s new to town. I figure offering to sit by me was the least I could do.”
“Oh, I’m sure you could think of other things for him to do!” Hailey winks and turns back toward Luca.
“This seat taken?”
“It’s all yours. Boys make it to their classrooms ok?”
Creed grunts. “Hope so. They didn’t want me helping them figure it out.”
“Typical kids. Rowan was the same way.”
I start to talk again, but Creed’s phone rings.
“Dammit.” Creed rushes to silence his phone, and I notice just a touch of pink flush up his neck and cheeks.
“Someone’s popular.” I tease, lightly elbowing him.
“It’s my damn little brother. I told him about the concert two times. I’ll send him videos.”
“I thought most people texted these days.”
“Most normal people, yes. But that’s not Cade. He always has to video call at the worst possible time.”
“It’s sweet that he cares about his nephews.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he just likes to interrupt my life any chance he gets.”
I smile to myself. While his tone and words might sound gruff, I can see the slight smile playing at Creed’s lips. If I had to guess, I’d say he really loves and cares about his little brother.
“Are you always such a grump, or is it just that I’m the lucky lady to bring the grumpiness out in you?” Goodness. I hope my flirting skills come across as actual flirting and not just snide remarks.
“I was born this way. The doctor slapped me on the way out, and I slapped him right back.” I’m grateful he has a sense of humor under all that gruffness.
The lights dim, cutting short any further conversation I wanted to have.
According to the programs handed out at the door, this year’s concert is Traditional Christmas. First up, the kindergarten class singing Jingle Bells. Each class does one solo song, a song with the group above them, and then a song with the group below them, too.
In no time at all, Rowan and Jim’s second grade class is up. I know they’re performing Frosty the Snowman, but Rowan wouldn’t give me any other details. I am shocked to see him standing in front of a microphone before the music has even started.
Creed takes out his phone to get a picture, and that’s when I realize Jim is at the second mic.
“Looks like we’ve got a duet on our hands,” I lean over and whisper.
“I’ll video if you’ll take pictures,” Creed offers, and I nod my head.
With the whole class singing behind them, Rowan and Jim start out the song—
“Frosty the Snowman,
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.”
I had no idea my son could sing like that. And he and Jim sound so great together. After I make sure I have a few photos of each boy, I sneak a peek at Creed. He sees my glance and gives me the first real smile I’ve seen from him.
I knew it! This tough guy isn’t really all that tough. And I’m sure he would do anything for his two boys.
In just a few songs, it’s Bart’s turn to take the stage.
“I’ll get a couple photos again if you want to video.” I know how hard it can be to get both, so I figure I can at least offer.
“Thanks. That’d be great.”
Bart’s class does a great job with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
After the fifth graders have sung their few songs, it’s time to transition to the band.
The band instructor comes out and tells us how hard the fifth graders have been working all semester.
Twelve kids come out and start playing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on their instruments.
“I swear this is a government experiment in auditory torture,” Creed leans over and whispers into my ear.
“Oh, Mr. Grinch, don’t pretend you’re not enjoying yourself.”
“Of course not. Any smile you saw tonight was because I was picturing my will to live slipping away.”
I roll my eyes and smile.
Before I know it, we’ve gotten through the middle school and high school bands plus their choir songs as well.
Every kid and the audience members are asked to join in to sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Then the elementary students are taken back to their classrooms where parents can pick them up.
“I always wait a few minutes. That hallway can be crazy, and the parking lot isn’t any better!”
“That makes sense. Can I get those photos from you, then?”
My breath catches. I should’ve thought of it before now, but this is my excuse to exchange numbers with Creed. Before I can overthink it, I pull my phone out of my pocket, pull up the pictures of Jim and Bart, get Creed’s number, and hit send.
His phone dings, and I watch as he uploads the videos to send my way.
“Thanks, Emmie. It’s nice to have a second person helping out.”
“Yea, I suppose it is. I haven’t had that in a long time.”
“Oh?” Creed's eyebrows go up, and it’s the first time I’ve seen true interest out of him. “I thought maybe Rowan’s dad was just working.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s working somewhere, but not anywhere that we’ve seen in over four years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Divorce is tough.”
“Yea, it sucked. But it’s for the best. Rowan and I do pretty well on our own. And my parents and friends help plenty too.”
“That’s what I miss most about Deadwood. I had my mom and friends to support me. Then I had to move. I don’t have a support system built up here in Spring Creek yet…” Creed’s voice trails off, as if he’s remembering what all he gave up to move here.
“Well, I can help. This community is really great about watching out for everyone’s kids. You’ve got my number now, so please feel free to reach out any time.”
“You know, I might take you up on that. I can’t even figure out the simple things. Both my boys need a haircut before Christmas, and Bart begged me not to buzz cut him this time. But I have no idea who in town does kids’ cuts.”
I chuckle. “Actually, I run Claws and Curls on Main Street. I’d be happy to see the boys.”
“Claws and Curls?!” I can practically hear the disbelief dripping from Creed’s voice.
“Yes, you heard me right.” I laugh again. “I would say at least a quarter of my workload is kids. I try to stay open until 7 pm two nights a week to get kids’ cuts done.”
“Ok then. I might be in touch.”
“Oh, we’d better go get our kids!”
And with that, Creed and I walk down the hall together, grab our kids, and each head to our respective homes.