Page 37 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby

The person who rounds up their trio is seated on a high stool and munching on a muffin. I know who she is; the lady from my run so many weeks ago and for the life of me I can’t remember her name. Her red hair is the most recognizable of all her features but even that doesn’t jog my memory.

“Hello Jakey!” Sherry calls. “I made muffins. Do you want some?”

“Sure do!” I grab one out of the basket, and pick up Maddie who is munching on hers now with her combined number of four teeth in total. “Hello, princess. Did you miss me?”

The only response she has is another round of “Un-uns” and it is the most beautiful sound I’ve heard all day. I press a kiss to her head before I take a seat and plop her in my lap.

“Hello, Jakey. You didn’t tell me this was another name I could call you.” The woman’s eyes have a slight hint of amusement and the sight of her smile brings our conversation back to mind.

Janice!

“I’m a man of many talents. And names.” I wink good-naturedly. “Nice to meet you again Janice. I didn’t know you knew Sherry.”

Sherry doesn’t give her the chance to answer. “Everybody knows me, Jakey. It’s a shame you can’t recognize my fame,” she interjects.

I see Janice hide a patronizing smile behind a bite of her muffin so I do the same. “Mmhmm… I know.” I answer, nodding attentively.

Sherry pats me gently on my back. “It’s a good thing you can accept the truth when it’s spoken. That’s a wonderful trait to have.” Perceptive as ever, she addresses Janice without even looking at her. “You had best get that smile off your face before I see it, Janice.”

“Yes ma’am,” she answers immediately and I give in to the laugh I’ve been holding in.

In no time, we are all chuckling, including Maddie who has absolutely no idea why we are laughing but doesn’t let that stop her.

I take a look at my phone, remembering that we have a park play date to get to and I need to pick up Allison.

“Where’s that girl of yours?” Sherry asks.

I look up in surprise. “Uh, right here.” I poke Maddie who giggles at me.

Sherry gives me a no-nonsense look. “I mean Allison.”

“Who’s Allison?” Janice asks. “Your girlfriend?”

I don’t really know how to answer that. So I ignore it the best I can. “Maddie’s godmother,” I say. “She’s downtown. She’s got interviews lined up this week, trying to find a gig now that she’s in town more permanently.”

“Mm,” Sherry says.

I raise my brows. “What?”

“Oh, nothing. That’s good! That girl used to talk about flying away from here. I’m glad she’s staying.”

I nod. Allison and Emily used to talk about running away to New York or Los Angeles when we were kids. “Life changes, huh?”

Sherry nods. Janice hums thoughtfully.

“Thank you so much for watching Maddie for the millionth time, Sherry. And thanks for the food, but we really need to get moving now. We have a playdate in the park for this little one.” I get up and clean crumbs and spittle off Maddie.

“And I’m ready to do it another million times, so anytime you need me you just come over Jakey. You hear me?”

“Sir, yes sir.” I reply jokingly. “Goodbye Sherry. Janice. See you both later.”

“Bye bye, Jakey. And you too, Maddie!”

“Only Sherry gets to call me that!” I warn Janice as I leave with Maddie.

“Bye!” Sherry calls out, and to my pleasant surprise, Maddie sends a wave her way.

When we get to the car, I buckle Maddie into her car seat and text Allie. She tells me she’s at the flower shop, where she still helps out part time while she’s looking for full time work.

---