Page 82 of Just Like That

My mood was so much lighter by the time we pulled into the parking lot of Abel’s Brewery. I positioned the bus out of the way on the far end of the parking lot, put it into park, and turned toward Teddy.

“Come here, kid.” I gestured with my hand before pulling him into a tight hug on my lap. “You’re pretty great. You know that?”

He nodded and squeezed back. “You too.”

I gave him my most serious expression. “Now, I want you to have fun tonight. Stay up late. Eat too many sweets. Get into trouble.” Iboopedhim on the nose. “Just not too much trouble. Nothing super illegal.”

“I’ll try.” The seriousness in his voice almost sent me over the edge again, and we giggled.

“Fair enough.” I squeezed him one last time and pulled the lever to open the school bus door. “You’re a good kid.”

“Thanks.” Teddy walked down two steps before turning back. “You’re a good mom.”

I stared. My eyes instantly watered, emotions overtaking me.

Mom.

A title I didn’t ever know I wanted. A title I wasn’t entirely sure I deserved or was ready for. It was ridiculous how a child could so flippantly say one little thing and you felt like you’d been struck by a Mack truck.

I continued to stare, full of love and awe, as Teddy hiked his little red duffel bag onto his shoulder and carefully crossed the parking lot.

When he realized I wasn’t behind him, Teddy turned to look at me and slapped an impatient hand on the outside of his thigh. “Are you coming?”

I laughed, wiping the tears from my eyes, and climbed out of the skoolie. I smoothed the gold fabric of my dress and pulled the atrocious sweater across my chest. “Let’s do it!”

I gasped softly as I really took in the brewery for the first time. It was nestled into a large sand dune at the edge of Lake Michigan. The dune overlooked the lake, and huge garage-style doors opened to allow a breeze to float through the brewery. The building was masculine and upscale with its large wooden beams and iron accents. The soft beach grass swayed in the wind, beckoning me to enter.

We walked inside and it was even more stunning. There were double-sided fireplaces, high-top tables, and patrons flowing in and out between the indoor and outdoor spaces. On the exterior, there was ample cushy seating nestled around cozy firepits.

Beyond the patio, Ben and Tillie were playing tag and squealing in the sand. Teddy tugged at my sweater. “Can I go?”

I nodded, patted his shoulder, and watched him take off like a bolt. “Remember,” I called, “nothing super illegal!”

I laughed to myself and sighed, looking around for a familiar face.

“Just notsuperillegal, huh?” JP’s voice startled me, and my laugh lodged in my throat. My fingertips grazed my lips as I turned toward him.

A laugh sputtered between my lips, and my eyes went wide.

JP was dressed in an ill-fitting polyester tracksuit. The black sweatpants clung to his narrow hips, and a white stripe ran down the outside of each leg. His feet were tucked into a pair of white sneakers. On top, his hooded sweatshirt had the wordsBig Bad Wolfscrawled across it.

My eyes went wide. “Is that ...” I coughed through a laugh. “A gold chain?”

JP’s arms went wide to show off the cheaply made gold chain and the gigantic crucifix dangling from it. “It’s a part of the ’fit. But you didn’t even see the best part.”

With his hands tucked in the front pockets, JP turned. Sprawled across his back was a lone wolf, howling at the full moon.

“Oh, wow.” I choked on my laugh.

JP smirked and my insides went mushy. “You should talk, Grandma Hazel.”

We grinned at each other and my smile pinched my cheeks. This was a new side of JP—a silly, carefree side that I hadn’t known existed.

“What are you even doing here?” I asked with a playful smile.

JP’s face scrunched. “It’smyfamily, interloper.”

I crossed my arms. “Well,Iwas invited. Were you?”

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