Page 23 of The Double Play

“Yes, we can go now. Get your shoes on.”

June lifts one foot in the air, a sparkly pink tennis shoe glittering on her tiny foot. “I’m wearing my shoes. You put them on me.” She giggles as if she told a joke. I suppose my state of mind is a joke right now.

“Oh, well put your plate down and then we’ll go.”

“Yay!” she cheers and prances back to the desk where she was eating.

I wet my hair and run a comb through it before sighing and hiding it beneath my ball cap. Maybe the brim will help conceal my haggard appearance as well.

“I can’t wait to see what Miss Hazel has planned for us! She always takes me on the best adventures. One time we went to the park and searched for these painted rocks. I found a yellow one and gave it to her because she’s my best friend, and she cried and said I was her best friend too.” June stops only to take a breath. “Then we got ice cream with sprinkles and Miss Hazel stuck her tongue out with sprinkles on it. It was very silly.”

I pause at the door and look down at June. “She cried?” This must be one of June’s exaggerations.

June nods emphatically. “I was scared that I made her sad but she said sometimes she just gets soooo happy that tears overflow out of her eyes.”

A laugh escapes me. Maybe I wasn’t mistaken those times I thought I saw Hazel tearing up around June. She must be pretty sensitive to cry over something so small. I don’t relate to her there. Or really much at all, if I think about it. We seem to be very different people. Just like Shelby and I were.

June tugs on my t-shirt. “Come on, Daddy. We’re going to be late.”

“We’re actually going to be early, but okay. Let’s go.”

I check my wallet to make sure our room key is in there, then open the door. June flies across the hall and starts knocking on Hazel’s door. After six consecutive knocks, I catch her wrist.

“I think she heard you.”

June scrunches her nose. “She hasn’t opened the door though.”

“You’re supposed to knock, then wait.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. I didn’t know that.”

I chuckle and muss her hair. She pushes my hand away with a giggle. Hazel opens the door a moment later, phone to her ear.

“I’m sorry, I’ll just be a minute,” she says in a low voice.

Darkness rims her eyes in a way that mirrors mine. Did she have a sleepless night too?

“No problem, I know we’re early.”

She gives me a tight smile, then turns and walks back into her room. It’s so unlike her that it catches me off guard. The door catches on my foot, preventing it from closing entirely.

“I understand that you have to work, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to take off an hour early one time. Once I’m back in Nashville, I’ll be able to help out again.”

“Is Miss Hazel okay?” June asks. I hold a finger to my lips for her to be quiet. I’m not sure if Hazel intended us to follow her into the room or for us to wait out here.

“Yes, I know Mom is supposed to take care of Raven during the week.” Hazel’s voice is ice cold. “But webothknow that doesn’t happen. So please be her father and take her to this interview. It’s a dream of hers to even be considered for the position.”

My brow furrows. I recall Hazel mentioning a sister named Raven. She must be dealing with something concerning her.

“No, there are no other options. Her friends are busy.” A pause ensues, thick with tension. “No, I cannot take her. I just told you I’mworkingin New York.”

Hazel’s volume increases. “I am not her parent! This is not–” She cuts herself off, then lowers her voice again. “Please, Dad. This is important to her.”

My mind fills in the pieces of conversation, putting together an unpleasant picture.

“Thank you. I’ll tell her to call you with the details. Goodbye.”

June pushes open the door after Hazel hangs up and runs in before I can catch her. She throws her arms around Hazel’s waist.

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