Page 37 of Johnathan

“Tom?” Nellie’s husband shrugged his shoulders. “Alright. Abby, would you mind sitting next to that handsome son of mine? If Tom grabs a chair from that table over there, I can sit next to Katy and keep her entertained.”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

She moved chairs and held her breath when she saw him lean over.

“I was a little upset you were so insistent that this wasn’t a date, but I’ll have to thank my mom later for getting you to do something I’d been wanting you to do since we got here.”

“What’s that?” she whispered back.

“Sit next to me, so I could do this.” John stretched, his arm wrapping around the back of Abby’s chair. His hand landed on her arm and she could feel the warmth from his touch seeping through her jacket.

Katy stood on her chair and started waving her paper around before she could form any sort of coherent response.

“Ms. Abby! Look! I drawded this for you!”

“Oh, Katy. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Butt in the chair, ladybug,” John instructed.

“Sorry, Dad!”

Abby looked down at the paper now in her hands and felt an overwhelming ache settle in her chest. Katy had drawn a picture with three people. Well, they looked more like boiled potatoes, but since they had what could pass as stick arms and legs, she was betting they were people. In fact, it was easy to see which potato person was John. A big beard adorned his face. And the smallest potato was clearly Katy, with a high ponytail and purple dress. It was the third potato that was currently giving her butterflies.

Connected by hands with John, Abby’s potato was there, a sweater on its body covering all the way to its face. It was so innocent and pure that Abby was at a loss for words.

“I’m going to put this right on my fridge when I get home, Katy. Thank you again.”

“I has you and Daddy holding hands!”

“Let me see that.” John reached for the picture and smiled. “Our eggs look really happy together.”

“I thought they looked very potato-like.”

“I can see that too. We look like we’re very happy potatoes, at least.”

“Egg or potato, I’m thinking if Katy sees me as that round, maybe I should have gotten the salad,” she laughed.

“Nah, I’m enjoying watching you eat that burger.”

“John, could we order a little d-e-s-s-e-r-t for l-a-d-y-b-u-g?”

“Not tonight, Mom. It’s too close to her bedtime.”

“Totally understand.” Nellie smiled and turned to Abby. “You can’t blame a grammy for trying.”

“Not at all. I’m all for t-r-e-a-t-s whenever I can sneak them.”

“Katy! Katy!” Honey Mayfield ran up to the table.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Laura, Honey’s mother, walked up to their table, a smile plastered on her face. “Is this an official parent-teacher conference? I didn’t know this was an option or I would have suggested a wine bar for us to meet at, Ms. Abby.”

“Maybe I’ll suggest that to Ms. Margery. I’m sure we’d have better parent turnout if that was the case,” Abby joked.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt. I’m so sorry, Honey and I didn’t mean to interrupt your date,” Laura said before she looked at Tom and Nellie. “Or your family dinner. Whatever this is. She just saw Katy and ran right over here.”

“Oh it’s not a da?—”

“We get it.” John interrupted her, his arm once again going around the back of her chair. “The girls are friends. It would be hard for anyone to resist saying hi.”

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