CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next morning, Hazel and Mike stood at the door to the guest room, looking in.
“The posters look great,” said Mike. “And I like the books you placed on Jed’s bed.”
She turned to him. “And the tennis balls you put there.” She squeezed his hand affectionately.
They were both looking forward to having Jed with them and had decided to split their days in the coming week so he would be with one of them at all times.
If an emergency arose, they had a babysitter living at The Woodlands who’d help them out.
Hazel checked her watch. “He should be here any moment.” She straightened her blouse and drew a deep breath.
At the sound of the doorbell, they both rushed to the door.
Hazel opened it to see Jed holding his tennis racket in one hand and a canvas bag holding his belongings in the other. She’d heard that a lot of foster kids had plastic garbage bags to hold their things, and was happy to see that it was different for Jed.
Lisa got out of the car and walked up to the front door. “Jed was too excited to wait for me. Right, Jed?”
Jed grinned. “It’s a big sleepover. Like going to camp.”
“Not exactly,” said Hazel, tousling his hair. “But we’re going to have a fun time.”
“We’ll call to check on him. We’re waiting to hear news from the system. It’s looking positive, a matter of a day or two for the final approval. We’ll let you know.” Lisa tousled Jed’s hair and gave him a quick hug. “Behave for Hazel and Mike. We’ll be back soon.”
From the car, Lisa’s husband, Joe, waved and gave a little beep of the car’s horn before pulling out of the driveway.
Jed stood with Mike and Hazel, waving until the car was out of sight.
“Come on in,” said Mike. “We’ll show you to your room.”
“Are you hungry?” asked Hazel. “I’ve got cookies and milk in the kitchen.”
Jed looked at Mike and followed Hazel.
“Guess I can’t compete with cookies,” softly grumbled Mike.
“We’re going to have a pleasant time,” said Hazel, watching Jed dig into a cookie and sip milk. “You’ll get to go to work with Mike and me sometimes.”
“I’ve bought you tennis balls,” said Mike.
“And there are a few new books on the bed for you,” said Hazel. “C’mon. We’ll show you to your room. You can bring a cookie with you.”
Mike led them down the hallway and stopped at the doorway to the guest room. “What do you think? Aren’t the posters cool? We got them just for you.”
“I’ll help you settle your things,” said Hazel. “You can put your clothes in the bureau.”
Jed stood by while Hazel lifted his things out of the bag. Looking at how worn they were, she had an impulse to go out and buy him a whole lot of new clothes. But she wouldn’t do that to Lisa and her husband. They were doing their best to take care of Jed. They loved him.
“I’m going to let you watch me teach tennis to an adult, and then you’re going to participate in an intermediate kids’ class,” said Mike. “Your ankle is doing well.”
“Yes, it’s all better,” said Jed.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Mike, clapping Jed on the back. “Hazel will catch up with us there.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of a few things here and then meet you. Because the weather is supposed to become rainy, the tennis camp kids will watch a movie inside. You can join them.”
“Cool,” said Jed, beaming at her.
Hazel hugged him. “Have fun with Mike.”
After Mike and Jed left, Hazel returned to the guest room and added a teddy bear wearing a tennis outfit to the top of the bedspread. There was so much she wanted to do for Jed, but she knew she shouldn’t go overboard. She and Mike had already confused Jed by competing for his attention.
She cleaned the kitchen, gathered her things, and left for work.
###
At the Sports Center, she was soon caught up in answering questions, making phone calls, placating people who hadn’t signed up for courses in time, and dealing with the problems of running the Center.
She peeked into one of the gyms to see Jed watching a movie with other kids and was pleased to see him sitting with friends.
She, Mike, and Jed had lunch together in her office picnic style, and then Jed sat in her office playing games on his phone.
“Are you having fun?” she asked him.
He nodded. “I almost won.”
She chuckled and went back to a project she was working on, content to see him relaxed with her.
By the time they were ready to return to the cabin, Hazel knew they’d have to do something different for the next day. Maybe Lucille Nordby, Sarah’s babysitter from The Woodlands, could take Jed to the movies. She’d check.
Later, when Mike came home, both Hazel and Jed rushed to greet him.
He gave Jed hearty pats on the back, exchanged a fist bump with him, and then turned to Hazel to kiss her. “How’s it going, you two?” Mike asked Jed before pulling Hazel into an embrace.
“Good,” said Jed, glancing at Hazel in Mike’s arms.
“Fine,” Hazel said. “I now have a new kitchen helper to set the table.”
Jed nodded proudly.
“We’re going to have dinner soon,” said Hazel. “Jed is used to eating early.”
Mike looked at his watch and frowned. “Okay, what’s for dinner?”
“Hot dogs. Jed’s favorite,” said Hazel, tousling Jed’s hair.
Mike twisted his mouth but didn’t say anything before walking away to shower and change.
Later, after dinner, while Jed was watching television, Mike said to Hazel, “Look, I’m happy to have hot dogs one night, but Jed is our guest, and he needs to eat what we do. Something like chicken or steak—hearty and healthy.”
“But he’s not used to the fancy food we like,” said Hazel. She indicated the living room with a nod of her head. “Why don’t you watch some television with Jed?”
“Okay, it’s been a rough day for me, and I can use the downtime,” said Mike.
Hazel finished cleaning up in the kitchen and went to join the guys in the living room. A movie with gunmen was on the screen.
She frowned and said, “Hey, no violence. Let’s watch something different.”
“Sorry,” said Mike. “It’s not bad. The show is almost over, and we want to see the rest of it. Right, Jed?”
“Yeah, it’s a cool show. I’ve never seen it before,” said Jed.
“Of course not,” grumbled Hazel.
Mike gave her a questioning look.
Aware there was no option, she sat down with them for a satisfactory ending. While the show was interesting for her as an adult, Hazel thought it was something Jed didn’t need to see. She gripped her arms in front of her and stewed.
When the show ended a few minutes later, Hazel said, “Okay, Jed. Time for a bath and then bedtime.”
“Lisa doesn’t make me take a bath,” said Jed.
“Uh, I think you should know that Lisa and I have already discussed the need for you to have a daily bath. So, let’s do it,” said Hazel in an upbeat tone.
“Awww…okay,” said Jed. He ran to his room.
“What’s the problem with the show?” Mike asked.
“Violence desensitizes children. Their brains are still developing until they reach their twenties or so. Watching something like that show is considered dangerous to them. Something I learned when I was teaching,” said Hazel.
“I’m sorry,” said Mike. “It won’t happen again.”
Jed appeared in the hallway. “Are you coming?”
“I’ll get the water going. You grab your pajamas,” said Hazel pleasantly, determined to get this visit off to a proper start.
Jed left them again, and Mike turned to her. “Maybe this once, he could’ve gone without a bath.”
Hazel shook her head. “No,” she said in a firm tone. “We have to keep to a schedule.”
“Don’t be a hardass,” said Mike with a seriousness she couldn’t deny.
Not wanting to get into an argument, she let the comment go. They were both new to this parenting thing and were trying to do an outstanding job.
“Do you want to check on him? Maybe you should see that he has what he needs,” said Hazel.
“Sure,” said Mike agreeably, and Hazel relaxed a bit.
A short while later, Jed emerged from the bathroom wearing his pajamas. His face shone from a thorough washing.
“Okay, time for bed,” said Hazel. “Would you like to read a book before we turn out the light? I’d be glad to read to you.”
Jed shook his head “Maybe tomorrow. I’m tired.”
“Okay, then,” said Hazel, “let’s get you settled in bed. Did you see the tennis teddy bear I placed there? That’s to make you feel comfortable here.”
Jed bit his lip. “Yeah, I like him.”
Hazel and Mike walked Jed to the bedroom, and while Mike stood by, Hazel tucked Jed under the light covers.
“We’re very happy you’re here with us,” she said.
“Lisa said she’d call,” said Jed, giving her a worried look.
“I’m sure she’ll call tomorrow. It’s a long drive to Pennsylvania, and they have to have time to get settled. Don’t worry. If she said she’ll call, she will.”
“’ Night,” Mike said, ruffling Jed’s hair.
Hazel leaned over and gave Jed a quick kiss on the cheek.
###
After they left the room, Mike turned to her. “Ready to relax and watch some more television? I’ll let you choose.”
“Thanks.” She sighed. “I can’t believe how tired I am. But I want everything to be comfortable for Jed.”
“Aw, Jed’s fine,” said Mike, and Hazel realized they were very different as parents. Mike seemed a little cold, so matter-of-fact.
When they went to bed, Mike ogled her playfully. “Ready for ‘us time’?
“Not tonight. I’m exhausted. But let’s cuddle,” Hazel said, getting close to him.
Mike drew her closer and sighed.