Page 52 of Blindly Yours

“Watch out, Rose is gonna clear the table,” Andrew says.

I take another breath and line up my shot alone, trying to remember the exact position Nate showed me, and it works. The ball slides easily into the hole.

“You’re a quick learner,” Nate congratulates me with a laugh.

No, teach me more.

“Now our stripes are gone. So go for the eight,” he directs. “And call your pocket.”

I call the corner and try my shot, feeling confident now, but I miss to the left. My beginner’s luck has run out.

Andrew clears the table of his solids, and then just the eight ball remains. He makes a good try at it, but misses, so Nate’s up. He calls a side pocket and has no trouble declaring us the winners. He’s great at the game, and I’m simultaneously impressed and not surprised at all. If he comes here so often, he’s had plenty of time to practice.

We shake our opponents’ hands, and then Nate calls to Kara, who comes bouncing over happily.

“It’s past your bedtime,” he looks at his watch. “Time to get your coat on and say your goodbyes.”

She sticks her bottom lip out. “We were just gonna get Candyland out.”

“You can play Candyland next time.” He gives her a firm look that I’ve seen before from my own father.

She slumps her shoulders, but when she looks at me, she seems to remember something that makes her smile. “Can we have s’mores when we get home?”

Nate scratches his beard and looks at his watch again. “Ones’more. Then it’s bedtime.”

She jumps up and down. “Yay! Rose, are you staying overnight again? You can have s’mores with us!”

I smile and nod. “That sounds like a great idea.”

With a turn of her heel, she sprints back to say goodbye to her friends and then grabs her coat and scarf from the hook by the door.

Nate passes me mine, puts on his own, and then we all thank Rod and Mary and head out into the cold.

NINE

Rose

The walk back feels quicker. Kara passes the time by describing her marshmallow roasting techniques in great detail. Apparently, the trick to the perfect marshmallow is to avoid catching it on fire. Who knew?

When we get back to the house, I receive a personal demonstration before I roast one for myself. The fireplace is warm and cozy by the time we’ve each had our treat, and Nate sits back in his armchair. “Alright, Kara. Time for bed. Say goodnight to Rose. Go brush your teeth. I’ll be there in a minute to tuck you in.”

She frowns, but she doesn’t protest. She just sighs and stands. “Goodnight, Rose. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, Kara,” I smile warmly at her. “Thanks for all the fun we had today.”

She nods and slumps to her room, mumbling on her way. “I can’t wait until I’m an adult so I can stay up late…”

I grin at Nate, who grins back. I remember that feeling all too well. But her day will come.

“Thanks for today,” I say to him. “And for letting me completely disrupt your lives this weekend.”

“I don’t mind,” Nate replies. “And Kara thinks you’re the coolest person ever.”

I laugh. “I’m flattered.”

He picks up our used skewers and heads to the kitchen. “The plows should come through by morning, then I’ll take you back to your car.”

I pick up our plates, follow him, and start the water in the sink.

---