Page 89 of The Forever Play

Glancing at my watch, my smile falters.

Oh boy. I feel like it should be 3:00 p.m. already, but it’s only ten. That’s what happens when my daughter wakes at stupid o’clock and our day starts way too early.

Although, watching Zander trying to leave this morning was a thing of beauty. A smile stretches across my face as I relive his failed attempts to go. My chest starts tingling, and I let out a giddy laugh before twirling down the hallway to Zoey’s room.

She spots me and starts giggling, following my lead and spinning until she topples over with a little thump.

I laugh. “You okay, lil’ bug?”

“Yup.” She jumps back to her feet and chases after me.

While I make her bed, she sings me songs and then asks, “Foobawl?”

Turning to gaze down at her, I smile. “You want to see Zander again?”

She nods. “Foobawl.”

“You like him, don’t you?” I crouch down in front of her, lightly holding her hand.

“Foobawl, Wywee fun.”

“They are, aren’t they?”

“Go see?” she asks, her eyes rounding hopefully.

My nose wrinkles. “We can’t. They’re playing a game today. They’re gonna be really busy.”

She lets out an excited gasp. “Go see! Go see!”

“You wanna watch them play?”

“Go see!” She starts jumping up and down.

“The game will be on the TV later, and we can watch?—”

She shakes her head. “Go see! Go see!”

“You want to go to the actual game?”

“Yes!” More jumping ensues, and I stand up, wondering if that’s even a possibility. I don’t even know if I can get in.

But why not try?

With an excited grin, I jump in on my daughter’s enthusiasm, and we start getting ready.

It takes me an hour to gather all our stuff thanks to the earmuffs not being where I thought they were. But we’re soon loaded up, and I drive to the stadium.

I’m still not sure I can even get in, but I’m gonna go down there and try my luck anyway.

We arrive with plenty of time to spare, and I find a parking spot on the very edge of the lot. The tailgaters areout in full force, and I lead Zoey through the crowds, buying her a churro before heading for the stadium doors and wondering how I’m ever going to get a ticket.

But then I get lucky.

“Teah?” I spot her strawberry blonde waves and take a risk.

She spins at the sound of her name, her face lighting up when she spots me. “Hey!”

Running over with her arms stretched wide, she pulls me into a hug, then crouches down to greet Zoey.

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