Page 35 of Signs and Signals

On the jumbotron is Haven, pounding away on the window, smiling and clapping her hands. I look down to the field, and Atlas has stepped out of the batter’s box, to look our way. He then signals to someone, and Haven is so excited she almost falls from the windowsill and I almost lose my grip on her little body.

Haven is bouncing on her toes, smacking the window, I look again, Atlas is now on the jumbotron, signing,this for you, Princess Haven. I love you.I don’t think I have ever been this emotional in my entire life. I have cried more tears of joy over the past two months, than ever. I honestly don’t think this would have happened to me before I met Atlas.

Haven is beaming, both her little hands high above her head giving the I love you sign right back to Atlas. Once again, my daughter is up on the big screen again so everyone can see she is replying to her best friend. I love how happy this man makes her. She seems like a completely different child since we have met him, in a great way.

Atlas steps back into the batter's box, twists something on arm, probably his glove, and waits for the pitch. The first pitch comes low and to the outside, but Atlas doesn’t swing. Ball one. The catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, and Atlas takes some practice swings and twists, what I am assuming is his glove, again. This pitch is fast and right down the middle. The crack is thunderous, the crowd is going wild, Haven and Amara are going wild. He hit another home run.

I can’t look away from him as he is running the bases. I think he called this a Grand Slam, when the bases are loaded, and someone hits a homer. My breath catches as he goes back up to the big screen, he is running, with his hands showing the I love sign. He is showing Haven, she is never far from his thoughts, even when he is on the field.

I look to my little girl, just as a tear falls down her little cherub cheek. But that tear does not worry me one bit, because the smile that has brightened up the entire Target Field is coming from her face.

After the game we all head to dinner, before heading to the airport to catch our flight back home. We eat at a family-owned dinner, with plastic checkered tablecloths and wooden chairs that have seen better days. I love it. It is warm and welcoming, and the food is great. We all get burgers, fries, and shakes and chat about our time here.

After we eat, Atlas and Zander drive us to the airport. We all say our goodbyes, Haven is in tears as she doesn’t want to leave the guys. I cry because I am going to miss Atlas, even though I know I will talk to him daily. I kiss him so hard, I am sure my lips are bruised, but I just need enough of him to hold me over until he gets home.

We have been back home for a couple of days, leaving Atlas was horrible for Haven and me, and Atlas. We had a great time visiting him though. We just finished dinner of pulled pork sandwiches and chips, I needed a crockpot dinner today, I am exhausted. I was called in last minute to interpret at a court hearing, which is not my favorite thing to do to begin with. It was the parents of twin boys trying to get custody back from their aunt and uncle. They have lived with them for three years, and now the parents wanted to uproot them and take them home with them.

No matter how bad it was, I am glad the judge sided with the aunt and uncle, because I had a feeling things would not have worked out for those boys had they gone with their parents.

Amara went out for a drink with some people from work, and Haven is passed out in her bed. I am laying on the part of the sectional that curves, because it feels like I am being held. I know it sounds silly, but when you stop getting affection frompeople at the age of seven, you will do what you need to do to be held. Even if it is the sofa.

My phone dings, and I see I have a message from my brother.

Silas:Hey, sis. How’s it going? The girls and I were hoping we could come by next weekend, maybe have dinner? We miss you and Haven. All three of us have Friday off, so we figured we could spend the weekend with you all.

I jump from the couch, dropping my phone in the process. I pull up the game schedule and Atlas only has one game next week and it’s on Tuesday. He can finally meet the other part of my family.

Indya:Of course I would love to see you all. I feel like the facetimes are just not enough, I miss you all so much. Haven is going to be thrilled you are coming. Emerson can sleep with me in my room, Asia can stay with Amara in her room, and you can either use the pull out in the sectional, or I can have Haven in the room with me or Amara, and you can sleep in her bed. We just upgraded her bed; she is now on a full-size mattress.

I am so giddy about my brother and sisters coming to visit, I almost can’t stop myself, from the little dance I am doing when the door opens and Amara walks in.

“What are we celebrating?” she asks.

“Silas, Emerson, and Asia are coming to stay with us next weekend. Are you okay with Asia sleeping in your room with you?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?! We are going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to see them all again, it has been too long. Usually when we visit or they visit, it is only for a couple of hours, but we get them for the entire weekend! Whoo! I have tostart planning things to do.” Amara runs past me into her room, closing the door. I guarantee she is making what she calls a “pre-list,” then she will move on to the “actual list.” After that list, she will complete her “finalized list” which is what the plans will be.

I go to message Silas back, letting him know Amara is already planning a busy weekend, when I see I have a message from Atlas. I must have missed the sound the phone makes when I get texts while I was talking to Amara, or it could have been while I was doing my celebration dance, or even Amara’s excitement, who knows. I open the text and smile.

Atlas:2 more days. u n me. u ready?

I really need to say something to him about the way he texts. Amara says he texts like the teenagers do these days. I keep planning to say something, but by the time I remember to say something, we are making out, or we are not in the same state. Maybe I should just say something now, while I am thinking about it.

Indya: I am counting the minutes. I miss you and can’t wait to see you, of course I am ready. What are you doing right now? It’s late, you are usually in bed already.

It takes him fifteen minutes to respond. Which makes the knot in my stomach tighten. He usually responds right away unless he is at a game. He even wakes up to respond he is asleep and will call me first thing the next morning. I am holding my breath, until finally it comes through.

Atlas: fone wouldnt stop, i didnt want 2 put it on dnd n case u need me. mom likes 2 call nonstop if i dont answer, but she refuses to txt me and nvr leaves vm. after the 20th call, i answer. parents, bro and sis r coming 2 the game n Portland. Idky she needs 2 call 4 that. i think its gr8 they r coming, but y not just showup. annoying, now im wide awake wondering wht she is cooking up n that brain of hers.

Yep, I am definitely going to say something now about his texting. I had to read his message a couple times to understand it.

Indya: That’s awesome they are coming to see you play. I’m not sure your mother thinks too highly of me, so I don’t really know what to say about her calling, or if she is up to no good. But can I ask you a question that is off subject and then maybe a request?

His response is much quicker this time.

Atlas:fuk yes i will have fone sx with u. ft?

Oh my god, did he really think I was about to ask him that over text message. I am laughing so hard I can barely type. I should just call him, but I know Atlas rooms with Zander, and I don’t want to wake him.

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