Page 59 of Stick Move

“Jellybean, you are so beautiful in that dress. Now why don’t I help you with your hair while your daddy gets our pancakes ready.”

Camryn takes Brighton’s hand and if I’m not mistaken, Brighton is as emotionally touched by all this as I am. “Come on,” Camryn says dragging her down the hall. I watch for a second, until they disappear, and then make my way into the kitchen.

“No lumps,” Camryn yells out and it pulls a laugh from my throat. I go to work on making pancakes like Brighton taught me and pull the whipped cream and fruit from the fridge. Beside it sits Camryn’s lunch for the day and a pang of…of something I can’t identify hits me in the center of the chest. She’s growing up so fast.

Just as I finish plating Camryn’s pancake, I hear Brighton clear her throat and I turn to see my little girl looking like a ball of sunshine in her new dress with her hair tied back in a ribbon. I bend and hold my arms out to her and she rushes into me, nearly knocking me over. I catch Brighton’s eyes and find her smiling at us.

“Okay, let’s get at your breakfast,” I say and hope my voice isn’t coming out as shaky as it sounds. Camryn climbs into her chair.

Brighton grabs a dish towel. “How about we put this over your dress. We don’t want any spills.” She drapes it over Camryn who wiggles in her chair. “What can I do to help?” she asks.

“You’ve already done it.” I point to the table. “Sit.” She arches her brow like she doesn’t like it when I’m bossy, but I know different. She sinks into a chair and I slide a big mug of coffee in front of her. Her lids droop as she inhales and the next thing I know, we’re all eating and drinking and then running around the house to get Camryn out the door in time. It’s crazy and exciting, and what life is going to be like until Camryn graduates, I’m sure, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Twenty minutes later, I pull into the school parking lot, along with all the other nervous parents ready to drop their kids off for the first time, and notice the way Camryn is nervously glancing around. Her friends are back in the city and this can’t be easy for her.

She unbuckles herself and holds her backpack to her chest. “Daddy, are you coming in?”

“Of course, I am.”

She blinks rapidly, and it’s easy to tell she’s trying to be brave. “Ms. Brighton, are you coming too?”

Brighton looks to me for approval and I nod. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Camryn seems a bit relieved by that, and I put the vehicle into park and step out into the morning sunshine. Exciting kids rush around me as teachers try to corral them into the playground area. I reach for Camryn’s hand, and she reaches for Brighton’s. The three of us walk toward the playground area, and there’s a monitor there checking off names.

“Okay, Camryn,” I say, kneeling. “I’ll be here after school to pick you up.” I give her a kiss on the forehead. “You have a fantastic day.” She looks a bit hesitant, until a girl in a very pretty dress steps up to her.

“Hi, I’m Victoria. Want to play?”

Camryn’s eyes go wide and she nods. “Let’s go.”

“Bye, Daddy. Bye, Brighton.” And just like that, she’s off and running.

I stand there for a second, my stomach tight as Brighton’s knuckles brush mine. “You okay?”

I swallow against a tight throat. “That was…hard.”

“It was,” she agrees. “She’s going to do great, Noah.”

“I know.”

“Come on.” She takes my hand and tugs. “Let’s get out of here and let her do her thing.”

“She is going to be okay, isn’t she?” I ask again, and her smile is full of assurances. I nod, knowing nothing is guaranteed. “Okay.”

My steps are slow and hesitant as we walk back to the car and I can’t help but look over my shoulder a couple of times more, but it gives me comfort to see Camryn playing with all the kids. Soon enough, a bell rings and Brighton squeezes my hand.

“Want me to drive?”

I secretly try to wipe my eyes, but she’s on to me. “I got it, but thanks.”

We head back home and when we park, my mind is still on Camryn. “I have an idea,” Brighton says.

“Yeah.”

“Actually, I have a few ideas.”

“What are you up to?”

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