Page 41 of The Double Play

Emmett Foster

“Thosearethewrongones,” June says. She’s peering up at me beneath the princess-themed hooded towel with a frown.

“What do you mean?” I ask, holding out the pair of princess pajamas that almost match her towel. “These are your favorite.”

She scrunches her nose. “I wear my favorite jammies onFridays, Daddy,” she says, like it’s obvious. “Miss Hazel makes cookies on Fridays and I wear those. It’s Monday. That’s what the board said at school.”

I sigh and put the clothes back in her drawer. It’s only been a few hours and the hole that Hazel fills is gaping. June has asked where she is and when she’ll be back no less than twenty times, complained that I didn’t know it wasMovie Monday, and pouted when I said I didn’t know what a mermaid braid was or how to do it. I knew that Hazel and June had traditions and routines—I’ve been around for plenty of them—but what I didn’t realize was just howmanythere were.

“I’m sorry, I must have forgotten. What pajamas do you wear on Mondays?”

She pushes up on her tiptoes to look in the drawer, then pulls out a pair with ocean animals. “These ones!”

“Okay, put those on and then hop in bed.”

“Yes, sir,” she says and runs into the bathroom to change.

I pull out my phone–something I’ve done too many times since Hazel left–and check for messages. The only text I’ve gotten from her has been one saying her mom is okay, but she may need a day or two off work. There’s nothing new in my inbox, except in the group chat with the guys.

Shaw: Y’all down for a game or two tonight?

Jason: Sure, I can make time for one or two.

Miles: Sounds good to me.

Brock: Can’t make it. Have fun without me.

Shaw: You can’t make time for one game?

Brock: I have a lot of work to do.

Miles: You always have a lot of work to do. Just play one game with us.

Brock: Some of us have real jobs and can’t afford to play video games on a weeknight.

Jason: Ouch. Lighten up, man, all we want is to hang out. We haven’t talked in a while.

Brock: I’m sorry. I have a lot on my plate right now. Didn’t mean to take it out on you, Miles.

Miles: Don’t worry about it. Let us know if you need anything.

Brock: If you could figure out how to clone me, that would be nice.

Shaw: You already have a twin sister. I don’t think the world could handle another Jones sibling.

I shake my head at their exchange. Maybe it would be good to play a game or two to get my mind off things. They’re certainly good at distracting me.

Emmett: I’ll play. Give me a minute to put June to bed.

Jason: Sweet!

I tuck my phone in my pocket and turn around to see June arranging her stuffed animals in a line on her bed. She tucks each one into the covers, then snuggles into the gap she left in the center. I can’t help but smile at her.

“Story time!” she cheers as she pulls her covers up to her chin.

“What book would you like me to read?” I walk over to her large shelf filled to the brim with childrens books as well as some chapter books.

“Miss Hazel usually makes up a story.”

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