Page 66 of The Summer Arrangement
The second her jaw drops, a low chortle escapes my lips.
This woman’s adorable, and I think I might make it my mission to keep her on her toes. I love seeing how she reacts to the simplest of things.
Before she can respond, Milli enters the room. “I’m hungry, Daddy.”
“Mornin’, love bug. Did you sleep well?” I ask, scooping her into my arms for a hug.
“Uh-huh.” She nods adorably.
“Breakfast is ready, but let’s go potty first, then eat.”
To Lizzy, I suggest, “Make yourself a plate. We’ll be right back.”
Milli and I make quick work in the bathroom. Since she was dry, I help her change into big girl panties from a Pull-Up. Once she washes her hands, she eagerly selects a purple star sticker for staying dry all night. She’s working for a new book at the bookstore when she fills the chart. I’ll gladly buy the entire bookstore if it means she’s potty trained. Like most three-year-olds, she has good days and bad days, but as long as she’s not tootired, she’s typically dry if I help her first thing when she wakes up.
To further reward her potty-training endeavor, I grab her special cherry-flavored ChapStick from the medicine cabinet and swipe it along her lips. Never in a million years would I have thought this tiny tube would work miracles. But alas it does—and it’s all thanks to Lizzy and her brilliant suggestion.
A few weeks ago, Emilia was having a difficult day potty training. Lizzy offered her some of her ChapStick if she’d try using the toilet. Emilia thinks Lizzy walks on water most days, so of course she tried and was successful. Now, I can say my daughter will proudly poop on command if she knows she gets to wear her “Wipstick” as she calls it when she’s done. I owe Lizzy everything for this little party trick, as my daughter is one step closer to being fully potty trained.
When we return from the bathroom, I’m pleased to find Megan and Lizzy both eating at the table. They’re chatting away about their favorite places to hang out in Portland. When Megan opens her arms to Milli, she rushes to sit beside her. Megan’s got a plate ready for her and once she’s settled, Milli digs into those omelets like she hasn’t eaten in a week.
“If you’re shopping on Twenty-Third, youhaveto check out Salt & Straw,” Lizzy suggests. “That’sthe only placemy friends and I will venture out for late-night ice cream runs.”
“It’s rare I travel far from the airport if I’m only in town for an overnight layover. However, Cam’s taken me there a few times when I’ve visited. I love their unique flavors.”
“Really?” Lizzy looks from Cameron to me. “Have you tried their pear and blue cheese?”
“Uh, who eats ice cream with blue cheese?” I interject. “That sounds disgusting.”
“I do.” Lizzy proudly taps her chest twice. “Don’t knock it until you try it, mister.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” I chuckle, sitting beside her.
Warmth spreads through me when my leg bumps hers. “I take it you go often?”
“Only every chance I can. That’s one of the things I missed most when my car went belly up last spring… No more Salt & Straw.”
Even her pout is cute. How is that possible?
“That’s terrible. I’m not sure I could go without a car,” Megan commiserates.
Lizzy just shrugs. “Most everything I need is near campus, so it’s not too bad. Lanie and Ryan come to Portland regularly, and she’ll come get me if I wanna visit Seaside. The MAX isn’t too far away either.”
My stomach churns at the thought of her riding public transportation late at night. I know people ride it every day, but for some reason, this bit of information doesn’t sit well. She lived close to campus when we met, but where will she live next year? Will she have to ride it often?
“What about you, Cam?” my sister asks expectantly.
Staring at her dumbfoundedly, I admit, “Sorry, lost in thought. What did you ask?”
Rolling her eyes, my sister repeats, “After breakfast, we’re going to check out Painted Rock Beach. Mills painted some rocks last week with Lizzy, and she wants to contribute.”
Shit. I’d love to go, but I’m already cutting it close for my first meeting as it is. “Unfortunately, I can’t. I’ve gotta scoot as soon as I finish breakfast, or I’ll be late.” Turning my attention to Milli, I ask, “Can you show me what you’ve been working on?”
Milli nods excitedly.
Just as she’s about to bolt from the table, Lizzy counters, “Let me wipe your fingers first.”
The second her hands are clean, Milli’s off to the races. She runs to the windowsill by the back door and picks up two large rocks I didn’t even notice were there.
