Page 24 of Signs and Signals

Are we ordering pizza tonight? I feel like a super cheesy slice would make my day better. How about you, Haven? You feeling like pizza tonight?

Haven nods her head, hands still working on her bracelets, done with conversation, only wanting to complete her task before bedtime. So, I decide to tilt my head toward the kitchen so I can let Amara in on Atlas’s request, and get her opinion on what we should do.

“Are you telling me, that Atlas wants to fly the three of us to Chicago, where we will travel with a professional baseball team, and go to two MLB games and spend an entire day with him and hopefully his team, all on his dime?”

I can’t tell if she thinks it’s crazy or if she is excited, her face is giving nothing away, neither is the tone in her voice.

“I know. I think it is too much, I told him that we can help with the purchases or something, but he said he wanted to take care of everything. He misses us and wants to see us,” I nibble my bottom lip, looking anywhere but at her.

“Are you out of your beautiful fucking mind, Indya? The man is obviously obsessed with you, and us. He said he misses all of us. Even me. Fuck yeah, I am down for a mini vacation. I am going to email my supervisor now and let them know I will not be in for the next three days due to a personal matter. Shit I need to go pack. What cities are we going to, so I know what to bring?”

“We fly into Chicago, from there we head to Minneapolis, but we get a free day in between games, to hangout or whatever they have planned, and after the game in Minneapolis, he will fly us home. Are you sure you are okay with this?”

“I am positive. I am fucking ecstatic for this trip. Do you know the best thing about baseball games besides the stadium hot dogs? Baseball players and their baseball pants. Jesus, I am getting turned on just thinking about it. What time is our flight there, so I can make sure I am ready and have everything ready to go before then?”

Okay then she really is excited. I text Atlas and let him know that everyone is onboard for the trip and Haven is in the process of making thirty bracelets for the team and some of the coaches. His response has my breath catching in my throat.

Atlas: im excited 2 c u all. ur flight leaves portland @ 8 a.m. ill have sum1 there to get u and bring u 2 the hotel.

I let Amara know and she runs off to start packing. The pizza arrives and we all take a seat at the table and devour the cheesy goodness. We tell Haven we are going to see Atlas and she is thrilled.

After getting everything packed up for the next couple of days, making sure I pack plenty of things to keep Haven occupied so she doesn’t get restless. We all shower and head to bed, excited for the next couple of days.

The flight and drive to the hotel was uneventful. Chicago is nice and warm, but a little breezy. No wonder it is called the windy city. We are staying in the Ritz-Carlton, the fanciest place any of us has ever stayed. It has two bedrooms, a huge living room, and a view of the Navy Pier and Lake Michigan that will take anyone’s breath away. We just finished getting settled in the rooms, Amara decided that she is going to bunk with Haven, in case I get lucky. I just go along with it, because she doesn’t know I haven’t had sex with Atlas yet.

We start getting ready to go to the game, we won’t be able to see Atlas until after the game is over, when there is a knock on the door. Amara goes to answer it, since I am trying to tame the curls on my daughter's head.

Amara comes back into the room holding several boxes.

“What do you have there? Who was at the door? I hope it wasn’t the driver, because I still have to get ready once I am done with Haven’s hair,” I tell Amara as she sets the boxes on the bed next to me, causing Haven to jump up and check out each box.

Please wait for us to see what it is first, Haven. I need to finish your hair before we open anything, okay?

Haven’s shoulders drop and she plops back down in front of me. When I am finished, her hair looks like two little pom-poms setting atop her head. She is too cute for her own good, I swear.

Looking at the packages that Amara sat on the bed, they each seem to have each of our names on them, and then there is a small rectangle box that also has Haven’s name. I hand the boxes to the correct person, and we all count to three and open the medium sized boxes.

Each box holds a baseball jersey with the number 8 and Kensington stitched across the top of the back. The red and black colors are stark and vibrant against the gray color of the shirt. There is also a white jersey displaying the same name and number. Amara explained that the difference is gray is for away games and white is for home games. I cannot believe he got all three of us official jerseys, just like the one he wears on the field.

Let’s see what is in your rectangle box, Haven.

Okay, mama. When we done, you put this on me, please?

I nod yes and sit her between Amara and I and we all look to see what Atlas has given her. Haven lifts the lid, and once it is open, Amara gasps, Haven looks at me then back in the box,then to me again. Her little eyes are filled with tears, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and Amara does the same from the other side.

Nestled inside the box is a locket in the shape of a heart with baseball stitching on it, the locket is open showing a picture of Atlas and Haven on one side and me and Amara on the other side. The pictures were taken when we were all feeding the ducks in between Atlas's workout and baseball practice a couple of weeks ago.

Why?The tears have broken free from Haven’s eyes, the confusion on her face is almost heartbreaking.

The only male that has been in her life and treats her well is my brother Silas, and he has never given her jewelry. When I start to respond to her, I see a note tucked into the side of the box that the necklace came in. I give it a once over, then read it to Haven and Amara.

Princess Haven,

I hope you accept this necklace as a promise from me. I promise to protect you like a prince, love you like a parent, and be best friends with you until the very end. This locket represents the two women who are closest to you in life and in heart, and me, who wants to be a part of not only your mama’s life, but yours as well.

Enjoy the game, I will see you after we win.

Love, Atlas

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