Page 39 of Time for Change

Miss Libby appears out of nowhere and hands me a tissue, and I take a moment to help my son blow his nose. When I toss the balled-up Kleenex into the trash, I get back down on his level. “I can ask Caden when I get to work if Joshua has a game tonight, but just be prepared there might not be one. If not, I’ll see if we can go another night,” I assure him. Joshua is Caden’s sixteen-year-old nephew who plays for the varsity team at the local high school.

Christian sniffles and nods. “Okay. If not, can we eat ice cream for dinner?”

I smile as Miss Libby chuckles just around the corner, clearly hanging nearby to help when needed. “I don’t know about that, but maybe we can make spaghetti.”

“Pasketti! With big meatballs?” he asks, his blue eyes shining brightly with anticipation.

“With the biggest meatballs I can find,” I assure him, giving another hug. “You okay now, buddy?”

He nods and glances back just as Miss Libby steps around the corner. “Is Ethan here?”

“He sure is, Christian. I think he was going to get the cars and trucks out while he was waiting for you to get here.”

“Bye, Dad!” Christian hollers, bolting off to the back room where the toys are kept.

“Bye, buddy. See you in a little while,” I reply, even though he’s already gone.

“It’s not very often he gets upset when you or Mya leave,” Miss Libby says.

“No, it’s not, but sometimes just the slightest change in the schedule can cause stress,” I state.

“Very true, young man. Go ahead to work. He’s going to be just fine. Don’t worry about him,” she reassures me, placing a gentle hand on my arm in silent support.

“Thanks, Libby. I’ll see you shortly after five,” I tell her, opening the door.

“We’ll be here.”

I hurry to my running truck, noting I’m even further behind now than I was when I pulled in, but what can I say? I pull out my phone and fire off a text to Caden, letting him know I’m on my way. I’d love to send one to Stevie too, wishing her a good morning, but now isn’t the time. I hope my partner has the coffeepot on because I’m going to need it.

It’s barely eight, and it’s already been a rough day.

***

“I want popcorn!” Christian hollers the moment we step inside the high school gymnasium.

“I want to go find my friends,” Gianna announces, turning to head for the stairs leading to the upper level.

“Wait, Gi. I want to see who you’re sitting with,” I state, looking to the upper deck and finding several familiar faces.

She sighs dramatically, and if I were looking at her, I’m sure I’d see her roll her eyes. “I’m sitting with myfriends, Dad. Emmaleigh’s mom will be with us, so you don’t have to worry,” she insists.

“If you leave the gym, you have to go with Mrs. Gordon or come get me,” I state, referring to Emmaleigh’s mom.

She huffs. “I know.”

“I’m serious, Gianna. I don’t want you running the hallways.”

“Fine,” she grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest before adding, “Can I have some money?”

Reaching into my wallet, I pull out a five and hand it over.

“That’s it?” she asks, sounding a lot like her mom at the moment.

“We just ate dinner. That’ll get you something to drink and a snack.”

Gianna sighs and folds the money, slipping it into her pocket.

“Don’t lose it,” I tell her, earning myself another eye roll.

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