10. Lizzy
Later that week, I couldn’t believe my eyes as we passed a garage sale on our morning walk. There in the corner of the yard was a practically new balance bike, built specifically for toddlers Milli’s size, for only ten bucks. I wouldn’t be Nana’s granddaughter if I didn’t stop.
As luck would have it, upon further inspection, there sitting on a table right next to the red balance bike is a brand-new helmet.
Not only is the helmet in perfect condition, but it still has the tag on it.
Clearly, it hasn’t been used and is perfect for Milli.
My pulse speeds up as I look the bike over with care.
No scratches or paint chips. I’m not even sure this bike was used either.
Last summer, I nannied for a little girl about Milli’s age.
I know firsthand how amazing a balance bike can be for teaching someone her age to ride.
Without the hassle of learning how to pedal, Emma quickly learned how to balance and soar down The Promenade.
By the end of summer, she was riding a regular bike with no training wheels, thanks to the balance bike her parents started her on.
Channeling my inner Nana, I walk to the lady in charge of the garage sale and do what she taught me to do—barter. Acting as if I’m not interested in the purchase, I casually ask, “If I buy the bike, will you throw in the helmet for the same price?”
Holding my breath, I watch as the woman, not much older than my mom, looks carefully from me to Milli and back.
Of course, she’s already watched me have Milli try out both the bike and helmet for size, so I’m fully prepared to pay full price for both items. They’re fairly priced, but it wouldn’t be a yard sale if I didn’t attempt to haggle.
When the lady asks Milli, “Have you ever ridden a bike before?” I’m not sure where she’s going with it.
Milli shakes her head, and the woman’s stoic face morphs into a smile.
“Well…” the woman sighs. “It looks like you’re the proud owner of both now.”
To me, she adds, “I just bought that helmet, but my grandbaby’s head is far too big for that thing, so his loss is your gain.
Besides, it’s the last day for our sale.
You’ll get far more use out of them than our storage shed.
Oh, while we’re at it, why don’t I throw in these knee and elbow pads I bought the same day, too.
I’d hate for her little legs to get banged up. ”
Quickly, I pull out my cash and thank her for her generosity.
Before I know it, Milli and I are on our way to The Promenade.
This famous cement pathway parallels the beach near the center of town.
It may only be a little over a mile long, but it’s the best place to learn.
The sand lining is the perfect place to land, and it’s away from any moving vehicles.
My sisters and I all learned to ride on this very pathway as Nana’s house borders it.
*****
“There you go… You’ve got this!” I exclaim, jogging beside Milli.
I’m still holding the seat of the balance bike, but she’s figured out how to keep her head over the handlebars and work her feet in the short time we’ve been practicing. I’m not sure who will be more tired when we’re done, but she’s determined to keep going.
“Yay!” Milli shrieks as she runs over a small bump in the sidewalk. Unfortunately, the wheel jerks, and she loses control.
“Whoa,” I warn, swooping my free arm around her just in time for the bike to veer off the path. If I hadn’t been holding onto the seat, she would’ve toppled onto the ground and crashed into a bush.
“Everything okay?” a familiar male voice approaches, laced with concern.
Turning, I see Lanie with her husband Ryan, walking from our deck to the pathway.
“Guess what, Milli? This is my sister and her husband Ryan.”
Milli’s arms grip around my leg as an unusual shyness sets over her as Ryan’s six-foot-four frame approaches.
Ryan immediately notices and stops a few feet back from us. My sister however comes closer and squats to her level as she says. “It’s nice to meet you, Milli. I’ve heard you love coloring and reading books. I love reading, too.”
This perks Milli up. “Books? I love reading my new book with Princess Thea! My Iz gave it to me. We went to story time.”
“You went to story time with Sophie?” Ryan asks knowingly. “Did she use puppets?”
This earns Ryan an enthusiastic nod, and she apparently forgets all about her shyness as she steps closer. “Uh-huh. The frog princess saved the day.”
Ryan reaches down and picks up the forgotten balance bike from the bush it’s currently leaning against.
“My Iz got me dat today.”
Raising a brow, Ryan asks, “Wow. Lanie and I were watching you from the kitchen. You’re picking this up fast.”
Lanie’s brows knit together. “Where on earth did you find a thing like that?”
“A garage sale, of course.” I smile. “I even got them to throw in this protective gear all for the tune of ten bucks.”
Ryan’s jaw drops as he guffaws, “Dude, you stole this!”
“No. Iz not steal.” Milli’s voice suddenly is stern as she points a finger in his direction. “She paid. Stealing is bad.”
Oh, my heart. This girl.
As we all fight to stifle a laugh, Ryan somehow manages to regain control. Dropping to her height to look her in the eye, he calmly says, “You’re right, Milli. Stealing is bad. I know Lizzy paid for your things. I’m teasing her. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise.”
Milli’s expression is hard to read as she stares at Ryan with her lips pursed.
Ryan points to her bike and asks, “Wanna show me how you ride this?”
And just like that, everything is forgotten.
Reaching for the handle, she grins adorably at him. “Run beside me?”
“I think I can do that,” he says, glancing to me for permission.
The moment I nod, he stands and helps Milli get settled on the bike.
“Hold onto the back of her seat,” I warn. “She hasn’t quite mastered the balance part yet.”
“She’s getting there though,” Lanie encourages. “We’ve been watching from the house.”
“You ready?” Ryan asks once she’s settled.
With a single nod, Milli tightens her hold on the handles.
“Chin over the handlebar,” I remind her as she pushes off with her feet.
My breath catches in my throat with her wobbly start, but after a few strides, she seems to get her rhythm, and I finally breathe again.
Lanie and I follow the two of them as Ryan does his best to keep her upright. “Keep it steady, squirt. Look straight ahead.”
This works for a few strides, then Milli’s head drops, and the bike wobbles once again.
“Focus on what’s in front of you,” Ryan encourages. “I won’t let you fall.”
“Chin over the bar, Mills,” I call out, thankful for the reprieve from chasing her.
Ryan’s a saint. I was just about to suggest a break, and he’s clearly saving the day. Milli’s having a blast. His white knuckles grip the seat, and I know he’s the one doing all the balancing in this endeavor, but he encourages her to go further. “You’ve got this, squirt. Watch out for that bench.”
“Iz, look at me. I’m doing it!” Milli shouts when she finally stabilizes again.
Lanie claps beside me as we jog to keep up. “You are! You’re such a big girl!”
Her little tongue pops out the side of her mouth as she pushes the bike faster with her feet.
She must truly be balancing because suddenly, Ryan’s grip relaxes, and his hand hovers inches from the seat behind her.
“Woo-hooo! You’re doing it, Mills!” I shout, getting caught up in the moment.
As if I jinxed her, she suddenly looks down, and the bike wobbles once again.
Ryan’s quick and grabs her seat just as she tilts to one side.
Cringing, I watch as he does his best to settle her. With inches to spare, he hoists her with his other hand and somehow hurdles himself over the bike as it falls. Fortunately, she never grazes the pavement below her.
Whew, crisis averted.
Her bike isn’t as lucky. As it clatters to the ground, I cringe at what could have happened.
Milli isn’t fazed in the slightest as she pumps a fist into the air enthusiastically. “That’s fun! Let’s do it again!”
“All right, squirt. Let’s do this!” Ryan says, once her feet are back on the ground.
The two of them spend the next twenty minutes roaming back and forth along the path. Once I realize Ryan’s got things handled, I stand near the path to our house, out of their way.
When Ryan’s just far enough not to hear, I lean into my sister and whisper, “You’ve got quite the catch there. He’s amazing with her.”
He towers over her but never is more than inches from her seat. It’s almost comical how he contorts to match her size. But the reality is, he’s spending his lunch hour making a practical stranger’s day.
“Oh, I know he’s gonna be a great dad,” Lanie agrees. “This right here… is just one of many reasons I love that man.”
Our conversation stalls as we watch him pick her up, bike and all, and turn them to come back toward us. Once Milli moves again, Lanie says, “Can you keep a secret?”
Raising a brow at her audacity, I state, “You have to ask?”
“I know, you’re the keeper of so many secrets in our family. But we’re thinking about trying to start a family of our own soon.”
“That’s incredible!” I start, but she shushes me and pulls me in for the hug I desperately want to give her.
“Secret… Liz…” she reminds me but quietly matches my enthusiasm.
“Why are you hiding this?” I ask once I’m in control of the volume of my voice.
“In case we don’t get pregnant right away.” She sighs. “I don’t want the added pressure of people asking, ya know? It’ll happen when it happens.”
Milli interrupts all conversation when she yells my name, “Iz! I need to potty!” Ryan immediately halts her bike.
When her wide eyes meet mine, I sprint in her direction. She’s held it for way too long. I should have reminded her, but we both were distracted with this bike.
“I’ve got you, girl,” I say on the run. “Let’s go inside and take care of this!”
Thankfully, the bathroom isn’t far from the beach, and we make it inside just in time. I’m not sure how long she’d been holding it, but I make a mental note to check in with her more often. This was way too close of a call.
Once we’ve washed up and are back in the living room, we find both Ryan and Lanie waiting for us. Through the window, I can see her bike leaning against a chair out on the deck.
“Are you hungry, Milli?” Ryan asks, reaching into the fridge for something.
“Uh-huh.” She nods.
“Let’s take off your gear, and we’ll have lunch at my house today.”
“You lib here?”
“I do for the summer.” I grin, pulling off her elbow pads. “I spend every summer here in Seaside. This was my Nana’s house.”
“You have a nana?” she asks innocently as she looks around. My heart squeezes at her connection.
Shit, how do I explain death to a child?
Going with the truth, I say, “My nana lives in Heaven. My sister Lanie and Ryan live in this house all the time, and I get to visit when I’m not in school.”
A perplexed expression crosses her features, but thankfully, her lack of filter doesn’t make me wonder what she’s thinking for long. “You sleep here?”
“Yep.” I chuckle at her cuteness. “My room is upstairs.”
“I see it?” she asks eagerly.
“Why don’t you two go check it out, and I’ll help Ryan with lunch,” Lanie suggests, pointing at the stairs. “Any allergies?”
“Nope. But her favorite is grilled cheese,” I offer as a suggestion as I reach for Milli’s hand.
Milli’s eyes widen in shock. “You have grilled cheese?”
“Yes, we do, squirt,” Ryan teases, pointing a spatula our way. “Once you’re done checking out Lizzy’s room, we’ll get you one.”
“Let’s go, Iz!”
There’s not much to see, but Milli’s entertained by my overstuffed bookshelf.
She manages to find one of my favorite picture books from my childhood called A Princess Wears Hiking Boots .
When she asks if she could lie down in my bed to read it, I worry she might fall asleep, but surprisingly, she stays awake.
When we return downstairs, she’s ravenous. She eats her entire sandwich and some grapes Lanie has set out. Realizing I should get her home for a nap, I ask my sister, “Mind watching her while I use the restroom? We should get going.”
I swear I was gone for less than five minutes, but when I return, I find Milli sound asleep on the couch. Chuckling, I ask my sister, “How the heck did that happen?”
A light laugh escapes as she shrugs. “I think we broke her. I helped her wash her hands, then we sat down on the couch to wait for you. Ryan has a meeting at one with a contractor, so I walked him to the front door. When I returned, she was conked out.”
“She’s exhausted. I think we’ll just stay here until she wakes up. I didn’t bring her stroller on our walk and passed out like that, she’ll be like carrying a sack of potatoes. I don’t think I can carry both her and her new bike all the way to their house.”
Reaching for a blanket beside the couch, I cover her. She doesn’t even stir.
My sister walks into the kitchen and pours herself a glass of iced tea. “Want some? I’m gonna hang out on the back deck for a bit. Care to join me? It’s been forever since just the two of us hung out. You’ve been so busy this summer.”
Once we’re outside and settled on the deck chairs looking out at the ocean, my sister unknowingly asks a loaded question. “So… what’s the deal with Milli’s dad? What’s he doing here in Seaside that’s got you working so many hours?”