Page 101 of Here and Now
This might be the best date I’ve ever been on. We laughed, she was a million times more comfortable being closer to Kai, and it was just effortless.
“You’re sure about this?” she asks as she looks at me with a smile.
“That I want to take Kai with us? Yes.”
She’s a single mother, and her son is a part of being with her. I’m not ignorant to that fact. If anything, I want him there too. I’m pretty sure he’ll help me out. No, but in all honesty, I just want her to be comfortable.
“You’re making resisting you very difficult.”
I grin. “I already told you that was the plan. Come on, let’s get him and go on the rest of our date.”
I get out of the car before she can protest or try to end the date and open her door.
“You’re home already?” Hazel asks as we enter the house. “Miles, I thought you had a little more swagger than this.”
I roll my eyes. “You sound just like Everett.”
She scrunches her face. “Don’t say that.”
“I speak the truth.”
Penelope cuts in. “Miles and I decided to change things up a little. We’re going to take Kai on the second part of the date.”
Hazel grins. “I take it back. Game you have. Well done, sir.”
I shake my head. “No games.”
Kai comes running out and sees us there. “Hey, Coach!”
“Hey, bud. Listen, I have a problem and I was really hoping you could help out.”
His eyes widen. “A problem?”
“Yeah, see, I have tickets to monster mini golf, but I’m a little afraid of the dark, and your mom didn’t think she could be much help. Do you think it would be okay if you came with us? You know, make sure that I’m safe and all.”
The way he comes to life at this simple request is fucking adorable. He puffs his chest out and lifts his head. “I can do that.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll get my sneakers so we can go!” he yells before running toward his room.
Penelope leans against the wall, her eyes warm, and I can almost feel her layers melting away. “Thank you for this.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You can save that for later,” I tease.
“You have to hit the ball in the hole!” Kai explains after I missed—again.
I thought I was going to be good at mini golf. Apparently I’m having performance anxiety, because it’s a par three and I’m on shot six. So, yeah.
“I’m trying, dude,” I say, lining up my shot and then, when I didn’t think this golfing could be worse, I’m proved wrong when I hear the heckling behind me.
“Mr. Anderson can’t get it in the hole!” Then comes laughter.
I turn to see four of my students standing off to the side. “Hello, Jacob, Tyler, Hawk, and Ryan. Why don’t you play ahead,” I suggest.
“Not a chance,” Hawk says.
Of course not.
