Page 26 of Walk Off

Neither of them talked to their mom any longer. Not after she’d called her a whore when she’d found out about the pregnancy. After that, it had been just her and Ruby, and then eventually Jasmine. Once they’d moved to Valley Falls, their circle had grown even bigger. Now they had a whole group of people willing to help and listen when need be.

A buzz from the security system went off, alerting them that someone was coming up the driveway.

“That must be Jasmine,” Ruby said. “You should go wash your face before you see her. Meet us in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

Ruby was right. She was a mess and Jasmine couldn’t see her like this. In the bathroom, she washed her face with cold water, hoping to bring down some of the swelling that her crying had caused. She finger-combed her hair, securing it back in the low ponytail before making her way to the kitchen.

Ruby and Jasmine were at the counter, eating cookies, with Jasmine chatting away about her sleepover.

“Hey, baby,” she came up behind her and gave her a hug and kiss on the head, “how was the sleepover?”

“So much fun, Mom.” Last year, she’d done away with the Mommy and started calling her Mom. Celia wasn’t sure what to think of it and hated that her baby girl was growing up so fast.

“I have something I need to talk to you about.” She sat down on a bar stool next to Jasmine. This was possibly even harder than telling Kyle. “You know how you always ask about your dad and I tell you he was a good guy but that he just couldn’t be around.”

Jasmine nodded. “He’s busy, but he loves me.”

She repeated the words that Celia had told her time and time again. “That’s right. The thing is, he’s here in town and he wants to get to know you.” She wasn’t entirely sure that was true but she had to assume it was. Kyle would never ignore his own child. At least, now that he knew about her.

Jasmine’s eyes lit up. “When can I meet him?”

“Soon.” Celia stroked Jasmine's hair. “Do you have any questions?” It was only fair that Jasmine know whatever Celia could tell her.

“His name is Kyle Dulanay, right?”

“It is. How do you know that?” She’d told her his name was Kyle but she’d never told her his last name.

“I heard you and Aunt Ruby talking about him one day. He plays baseball like Uncle Dallas plays soccer.”

Celia looked across the counter at her sister who gave her a look saying she also had no idea that Jasmine knew all this. “He does. Did you hear us talking about that too?”

Jasmine shook her head. “I looked him up online one day after you said his name.” She said it like it was no big deal. Like she did stuff like that all the time.

“Jasmine, you should have told Mommy you were doing that.” Her kid was smarter than she gave her credit for.

“I thought you’d get mad.”

“Baby, I’d never get mad at you for that.”

“You never want to talk about him so I didn’t want to tell you.”

Jesus, not only was her seven-year-old kid smarter, but she was more emotionally grounded than she was too. “We can talk about anything. Anytime.”

“Did he not want me?” Jasmine was looking down at the counter as she spoke and her words almost broke her.

“Why would you say that?”

“Josie’s dad left when she was a baby because he didn’t love her or her mom.” Her little shoulders shrugged and Celia felt like a failure as a parent.

“No. No never that. It’s my fault he hasn't been in your life.” She turned Jasmine to face her. “I’m the bad guy here, not your dad.”

“Do you think he’ll stay? I think I might like to have a dad. I like Uncle Dallas and Shane and Edwin and Cooper.” Her eyes scrunched like she was thinking. “Oh and Benji. He’s funny.”

Over the last two years, a lot of men had come into both of their lives, giving them the family she’d always wanted. But, they were no substitute for Jasmine’s own father. “I don’t have the answer to that right now and I’m not going to lie to you again. I think we’re just going to have to wait and see.”

“Can I meet him today?”

“I’m not sure, baby.” She stroked her hair. “He is figuring things out, but I’m sure he’ll want to see you soon.”

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