Page 23 of Finders Keepers

“This is Molly Henderson,” Ms. Lucy continues, noting my hesitation. “And their son Tommy is around Sophie’s age.”

I force a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. Old habits die hard. Matt’s voice echoes in my head:Who were you talking to? Why do you need friends when you have me? I don’t like the way he looked at you.

“Nice to meet you,” I manage, my voice softer than I intend.

“It’s so nice to meet you.” She says warmly, extending her manicured hand. Her warm smile catches me off guard She has the most beautiful shoulder length copper hair I’ve ever seen, and her green eyes stand out in contrast to her pale skin. She’s wearing a plain white t-shirt tucked into the front of her jeans and brown boots that match her designer belt. She is absolutely gorgeous.

“And this must be Sophie.”.

Sophie partially hides behind my leg, peeking out with curious eyes at the mention of her name.

“Tommy’s over at the duck pond game with my husband, William,” she says, nodding toward a nearby booth. “He’s been trying to win that giant blue dinosaur all evening.” She gestures to a tall man beside a little curly haired boy. William looks to be tall with perfectly styled chocolate brown hair and a grey shirt that has The Daily Grinds logo as a patch. His dark washed jeans fit him well and in contrast to his wife, he’s got on a pair of black cowboy boots. He’s cheering his son on while he tries to win the game, and it squeezes something inside me, knowing Sophie’s never experienced that kind of fatherly support.

Ms. Lucy suddenly comes up beside me. “Molly here makes the best cinnamon rolls you’ve ever tasted. You two should stop by the coffee shop sometime.”

The invitation hangs in the air. A month ago, I would have mumbled an excuse, knowing Matt would have never allowed it. The interrogation wasn’t worth a simple coffee date.

But Matt isn’t here.

I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders slightly. “That sounds nice. Maybe we could do that.”

The response feels foreign on my tongue, simple social pleasantries that most people take for granted. But to me, they represent something more. A small rebellion. A tiny step toward the person I used to be.

“Tommy would love a playdate too,” she adds. “He’s always asking for friends to come over.”

Sophie slightly perks up at this. “I like dinosaurs too,” she announces.

I look down at my daughter’s hopeful face and feel something inside me shift. Matt took so much from me, but I won’t let him take this from Sophie, the chance for normal friendships, playdates, a childhood untainted by isolation.

I’m still processing the idea of a playdate when Will approaches, holding the hand of a small boy clutching a blue dinosaur plushie almost as big as he is. William Henderson has a kind face with laugh lines around his eyes. Tommy, with his light brown curly hair bouncing as he walks, beams with pride at his dinosaur prize.

“And here they are now,” Molly says, waving them over.

“Will, Tommy, come meet Ms. Lucy’s new friends,” she calls.

“This is Bailey and her daughter Sophie,” Ms. Lucy makes the introduction.

William extends his hand toward me. “Nice to meet you, Bailey.”

I hesitate for a fraction of a second, my hand hovering before I take his. Physical contact with men I don’t know still makes my stomach knot. But his handshake is brief and professional, nothing like the possessive grip Matt would use when introducing me to his colleagues.

“Nice to meet you too,” I manage, withdrawing my hand perhaps a bit too quickly.

Tommy steps forward, holding up his dinosaur. “Look what I won! His name is Rex.”

Sophie steps out from behind my leg, her curiosity battling with her shyness.

“That’s a cool dinosaur,” she whispers.

“You like dinosaurs too?” Tommy asks, his eyes lighting up.

Sophie nods, taking another step forward. “T-Rex is my favorite.”

“Mine too!” Tommy exclaims. “They have the sharpest teeth and the littlest arms.” He demonstrates by curling his arms close to his chest and making a chomping motion with his mouth.

A small giggle escapes Sophie’s lips, surprising me. It’s been so long since I’ve heard her laugh so freely around someone new.

“You wanna see how I won him?” Tommy asks, pointing to the duck pond game. “You just pick up the ducks and look at the bottom. If you get the right color, you win. And if you get a duck with the blue star underneath, then you get to choose a big prize like this one!” He holds up his dinosaur.

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