Page 98 of Summer People
I have to agree. The only thing better would be if Sutton was with us. Looking over at the woman beside me, a woman that can’t possibly be stuck on an island twelve miles from land forever, I think about the possibility of a lake house. And the boat. Maybe it’s time for a change. Guilt and responsibility collide in my mind, making my head pound. With a deep inhale, I will my racing thoughts to settle. For now, I want to just enjoy the moment.
As if reading my mind, Libby gives my hand a squeeze. “Don’t think about it now.”
By the top of the sixth, the Revs have taken a six-to-nothing lead and the energy emanating from the stands is contagious.
“Look at your dad throwing the fire.” On the other side of the brick half-wall separating the boxes, a dark-haired woman appears. The toddler in her arms is sporting a number thirty-five jersey. “Oh, sorry,” she says. “I didn’t realize anyone was out here.”
“That’s okay.” Libby leans over and grins. “Aren’t you the cutest? How old are you?”
With a bashful smile, the toddler tucks her head into the woman’s shoulder.
“Eighteen months old and driving her parents crazy. I’m lucky I’m just Meme.” The woman tickles the girl’s tummy. “So I get to give Delaney back to Mom and Dad after the game.”
The little girl holds out a stuffed puffin to Libby.
My girl runs a finger down the soft fabric and smiles. “I love puffins.”
“So do her parents.”
My heart thumps oddly in my chest as I watch Libby bop the little girl’s tummy with the puffin, making her giggle. She’s so good with kids. It’s easy to imagine her with one of her own down the road. And Sutton would be a great big sister.
My lungs seize up at that thought. Is that what I really want? Watching Libby in this moment, I know it is. But is it possible to make that happen while still honoring all the things my brother wanted for his daughter?
The little girl snakes a hand out and pulls on Libby’s pink hat.
“Oh.” Libby tips her head, and her sunglasses clatter to the concrete.
Delaney keeps the hat firmly in her grasp, yanking it toward her.
“You like my hat, huh?”
The murmur of the crowd turns up a notch, then another. Only when I hear someone nearby whisper-yell “Elizabeth” in a way that makes her sound like Sutton do I scan our surroundings and realize Libby and Delaney are on the Jumbotron.
“Oh, shoot. Sorry. I should have warned you. This is Christian Damiano’s daughter. The fans love to see her. So she ends up on the big screen all the time.”
Libby’s eyes go wide as she searches for her glasses, but it’s too late.
“Oh my god, it’s Elizabeth Sweet.”
It’s a known fact how quickly a celebrity can be mobbed by fans, but until this moment, I didn’t understand just how jarring it is. Within thirty seconds, people are moving in the aisles below us to get a better view and calling up to Libby.
“Are you signing autographs?”
“Can we get a picture?”
Libby plasters a smile on her face and waves like she’s used to it.
“I’d keep her away from the baby. She might lose it on the poor kid and throw something.”
I frown down at the man who makes that comment.
“Can’t share the screen with a toddler either?”This from another person nearby.
Next to me, Libby’s body has gone rigid.
“You going to demand that we air-condition the great outdoors, princess?”
“Thought you were too good to grace us with your presence anymore.”
