I let out a loud snore after Shea pats me on the cheeks. She laughs and I can no longer pretend to be sleeping. Rolling over, I grab ahold of her and start tickling her sides. Her laughter is the best medicine and worth being woken up for. My niece is wearing a Boston Renegades shirt and even without rolling her over I know it says Davenport on the back along with my number.
Last night, even as we carried on with kitchen planning, the excitement from my mom and Shana’s voices didn’t wake Shea. I know it was for the best, but I miss her and want to spend as much time as possible with her. My saving grace is that I’ll be flying back by myself since we have an off day after we finish this series with the Mariners. When we do this, we run the risk of flights being delayed, but it’s worth it. I need time with my family.
“Hi, Unc,” she says, as she sits back on her knees. Shea’s tooth-filled smile is beaming and her baby blue eyes sparkle. I pull to her me and kiss her cheek, pretending to eat her ear. “Nooooo, monser,” she screams while laughing and tries to push me away.
My door opens and Shea scrambles under my blankets to hide from my mom. “Have you seen Shea,” she asks as she sits on the edge of my bed.
I shake my head. “Nope, last time I saw her she was sleeping on the couch.”
My mom sighs dramatically and Shea snuggles into my side. “Well, I just don’t know what I’m going to do Ethan. I wanted to take Shea to the park today and thought we could stop and get some ice cream, but if she’s lost –”
“Here I is!” she yells as she throws the covers up and away from her. My mom jumps in surprise and covers her mouth, causing Shea to laugh. Her blonde hair is a mess, and she has to use two hands to push it out of her face.
“Oh my goodness, Grammie thought she lost you.” My mom pretends to pout, and that clearly upsets Shea. Without hesitation, she’s crawling into my mom’s arms, patting her face and saying, “no, no, no, Grammie.” I think Shea is one of the best things that has happened to us, which is saying a lot because we have a great family.
“What time do you have to be at the field?”
I don’t know why, but I look at the clock that has always sat on my nightstand. Even today, my room is the same with my dark blue walls, oak desk and shelves that hold all of my trophies. The last time I was home I offered to clean it out, box up my stuff and put it in the garage, but my parents said no. They said this would always be my room. Shana’s was the same too, until she had Shea, and then it quickly became a nursery.
“No later than three,” I say as I sit up, my comforter falling away and exposing my chest. Shea laughs and says to my mom loudly, “Unc nakie.”
“Yes he is. Maybe we should leave so Unc can get dressed.” My mom picks up Shea, much to Shea’s displeasure. She screams, piercing our eardrums and reaches for me. My mom’s a pro though and doesn’t let Shea’s little tantrum bother her.