“I know. Shhh, Rowan’s up,”
I have no idea who won. The guys bickered back and forth about it, but there was really no way to keep score. There wasn’t even a way to keep the kids in their right places. Their attention spans were three seconds long. Both teams even huddled together once. Cutest thing ever.
Ophelia was supposed to be tending to the outfield. She found a lizard and everyone had to see. Both teams. The opposing coach picked it up by its tail and carried it off the field.
I wasn’t really quiet during the so-called game either, but in my defense, it was only when one of my girls were up that I said anything. The first yell was through a makeshift horn, using my hands.
“Come on, Row-row. You’ve got this.”
“Gabriella, stop it,” Paxton ordered through a teeth-clamped whisper in my ear.
His eyes weren’t the only surprised eyes. Everyone looked at me like I had two heads. The whole gang. I cowered and shut up. Evidently, I wasn’t that mom. I didn’t cheer my kids on during sports.
There must have been something up with my short-term memory, as well. I did it again when Ophelia hit the ball from the tee, sending it to left field, right past the two little boys not paying attention.
“Run, Phi. Run!” I screamed. She looked back to me, dropped the bat, and hauled ass, all the way to first base, and then to third. She totally skipped over second, but she didn’t care. She still cheered waving her arms and jumping up and down. Touch down, touch down, touch down. I laughed so hard my gut hurt. Thank God everyone else did, too. That helped take the pressure off me.
I still have no idea who won the game. There was too much chaos to even try to keep track of the score. My little Phi got a half a run. That’s all I cared about.
Chapter Nine
I actually had a great day. We had lunch from a food-truck, and ate it at the park. We watched the girls practice youth golf. Although I think I laughed more than anything. Even through their constant bickering, they were cute.
By three in the afternoon, neither of them could be touched, spoken to, or talked about. Just the mention of their name would send them into a bawling spree. Naps were something I quickly learned not to bypass. They needed them, especially Ophelia. That girl was evil without a nap. Rowan wasn’t nearly as bad.
Mommy needed one, too. I was in pain, but not excruciating. I think it was more from not using the crutches and from sitting on the hard bleachers. As soon as both girls were down in bed, I went to the sofa and plopped to my back with a heavy sigh. I didn’t care what Paxton said. The bulky boot around my ankle had to go.
I lifted my leg with a painful grunt and pulled the strap. Paxton sat at the foot of me and did it for me.
“You should leave this on,” he said in a disapproving tone as he slipped it off. His hands ran around my sore ankle, soothing it with his touch.
“Aahh, it hurts,” I whined while rolling to my side.
“That’s because you didn’t use your crutches. I don’t think you should go tonight.”
“Go where?” I questioned with closed eyes. I just needed to rest for a minute.
“Shayla and Mark’s cookout? Remember, I just told you about it this morning.”
He didn’t tell me who was having it, not that it mattered. I didn’t really care. “Okay, I’d rather not go, anyway. I don’t really fit in with them,” I admitted with my eyes closed.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. It’s fine. You can go without me.” It was fine. All I cared about was how exhausted I felt. The whole day out may have been a bit much. I was toast.
“You need to make something. To take,” he added like I was too dumb to read between the lines.
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I didn’t know how to cook. Why is it I can remember that pepper trees attract birds, yet I can’t remember what goes in R?sti Casserole?” I asked through a sleepy yawn. Both feet resting in Paxton’s lap.
“I have no idea how you know what a pepper tree even is, and I have no idea what the hell R?sti Casserole is. You’ve never made that.”
“I haven’t?”
“No.”
“Oh. Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to close my eyes for a few minutes. I’ll figure something out to take in a little bit. I just need to rest for a while.”
Paxton didn’t speak with words. He flipped on the television, still rubbing my sore foot. I don’t even know what he watched. I didn’t care. All I cared about was closing my eyes and sleep. Deep sleep without all the confusion.
~~
“I’m scared, Izzy,” I whispered from her side.
“It’s okay, Gabby. She’s okay,” Izabella promised, her voice trembling as much as mine.
“But what if they take us again? I don’t want to go with a social worker.”
“We won’t. She promised,” Izzy reminded me. I didn’t believe her. She said that the last time, too.