Page 31 of The Summer Arrangement
“A lot of running back and forth,” she deadpans.
“Here in the driveway?”
“We ride at the beach!” Milli explains.
What? That doesn’t make sense. There’s no way she could ride this in the sand.
Before I can say anything, Lizzy cuts in. “The Promenade runs right in front of my house. It’s where I learned to ride as a kid. The path is wide, but the sand is a great place to land when you need to bail.”
Milli pushes again, and all conversation stops as we jog alongside her. Again, once she gets going, Lizzy lets go, and Millirides solo until it’s time to turn around. In the same move as before, Lizzy flips her in the opposite direction with ease.
My chest tightens seeing my daughter giggle with glee. For her entire life, I’ve been the one to help her with her firsts. In a matter of hours, Lizzy’s gone out of her way to teach Milli something I’ve never considered. Who knew a three-year-old could learn to ride like this?
“We’re gonna wear out the pavement if we keep this up,” I tease when we turn around and return down the sidewalk. I’ve only done this for a few minutes. I can only imagine how tired Lizzy is from chasing her all day. Even at three, I know firsthand how determined Milli is when learning something new. She doesn’t stop until she gets it or drops from exhaustion.
If only there was a place wide enough to turn, I think Mills could probably do this on her own.
When we reach the edge of the sidewalk once more, I jokingly suggest, “We should find a place where she can work on her turns.”
With a sly grin, Lizzy nods in agreement. “I think I know just the place, if you’re up for it.”
“Hop in, Mills,” I encourage, reaching for a cart at the grocery store.
Shaking her head, she grins adorably and counters, “I walk, Daddy.”
It’s the weekend and although I’d love nothing more than to get through the store, I’m not in a hurry. I give in and go at her pace. “Okay, but hold onto the cart so I don’t get lost.”
The trick with toddlers is to give them something to do. If she has a job, then I rarely need to worry about her wandering off. We’re only popping into the store for a few things and at this hour, the tourists are hardly ever up.
“Want some cereal?” I ask, turning down the cereal and coffee aisle. I’m here for coffee, but we may as well stock up while we’re here.
Her little feet rush down the aisle, stopping where her favorite leprechaun sits on a shelf at her height. She plucks the box off the shelf, then runs back, reaches up onto her toes, and pushes the box into the cart. Once it plops inside, she’s eager to help again. “What’s next, Daddy?”
“Let’s pick up some eggs and milk,” I suggest, turning the corner.
Hmmmm… What else do I need? Maybe I should pick up some Gogurts and some of that coffee creamer I know Lizzy likes while were in this section, too?
The way Lizzy lit up when she saw the peppermint creamer in my fridge makes it worth my while to pop by the store when we’re running low. I may not be able to date her, but there’s nothing wrong with going out of my way to earn a smile from her, is there?
Pointing across the aisle, I add, “I’ll grab the eggs if you want to get some Gogurts.”
“Yay!” She scurries to one side of the aisle, while I open the refrigerator door on the other.
If you’d asked me pre-child if I’d be buying yogurts in a pouch, instead of family-sized containers like I had as a kid, I would’ve laughed in your face. But those little snacks are worth their weight in gold. First, she eats the entire thing. Next, when I put some in the freezer, she thinks she’s getting a special treat when I pull it out. Third, she can get it for herself when needed. That right there is priceless.
While I’m checking to see that all the eggs are intact, I hear Milli shout something excitedly, but I don’t fully catch it over the fan with my head inside the fridge. I turn back in time to catch my daughter jump up and down and throw herself at a man’s leg in a bear hug.
What the actual fuck?
My body’s suddenly on full alert.
Why is she hugging a complete stranger?
Standing to my full height, I quickly approach them.
This man is huge and muscular and towers over my six-foot frame. But he’s got another thing coming if he messes with my baby girl.
My sudden rage dissipates a little when his words register.
