Page 66 of Baby Blue
“Yes. And on your way home from work, stop by Bows and Begonias and pick up?”
“A florist shop? What?”
“Yes. The girls are expecting corsages, so I ordered two. They’re already paid for. All you have to do is pick them up. I put a gift card on the table for the restaurant so you can take them before you go to the dance and feed them.”
“What? I’m taking both girls to dinner? Who’s going to watch Toady and Indie while?”
“All taken care of, sweetie. Have a good afternoon. Love you. Bye.” And she hung up without giving him a chance to say another word. Holy hell, how had he gotten roped into all that? It had him genuinely worried. How was he going to know how to act at something like that? He’d never been to a high school dance as a student, much less as a dad. Hell, he’d never even been in a high school gym!
Blue got a huge surprise when he rolled up into the driveway. Anne’s car was there. As soon as he opened the door, he called out, “Anne?”
“Yeah! In here!” she called back from the kitchen.
It smelled as though she was cooking spaghetti sauce, and when he walked into the room, he realized that was exactly what she was up to. “What are you doing home?”
“I wanted to see both of you dressed up and ready for the dance! And I’ll be home with Toady and Indie.”
“I thought I was supposed to take them to dinner.”
“You are. This is for Toady and me. You’re taking them to dinner at Calvert’s Café. As soon as Polly gets out of the shower, I have to help her with her makeup and hair, and then you can get dressed and go pick up Crystal.”
Why did he get the feeling he’d gotten railroaded into all of that? Because he had. It was supposed to be a simple dance, and it was turning into some huge ordeal. All he could muster for an answer was, “Okay,” before he beat a path out of the room and across the yards to his house.
It was quiet there. He could think. At Anne’s it was… busy. The kids were always doing something. The TV was always on. He couldn’t listen to his music because nobody else in the house liked it. Maybe he could just hide out there and nobody would even remember that he existed. He hadn’t been sitting there on his old ratty sofa for five minutes when the front door opened, and Anne stepped in with Indie on her hip. “Babe, what are you doing?”
Be honest with her, Wallace, he told himself. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”
“How?”
“All the clothes and flowers and restaurant and all that stuff. And I’m going to a dance where there’ll be kids. I’m not sure I can keep my mouth shut and behave all evening. I mean, you were with me at graduation, so I had somebody to act as my filter. But you won’t be there for the dance. What if I say something really shitty and upset a bunch of people? What then?”
“I know you, Brent. You can do this. This will prove to Polly that you’re serious about being their dad, but it’ll also show Toady how a man responds when someone in his family needs him, and he needs that kind of guidance in his life.”
“I get that. I get all of it. But I’m new to all of this, and I kinda feel like…” Blue buried his face in his hands as he sat there. Was he going to be able to pull it off? Could he actually be a civilized member of society for one evening? Oh, he did fine at work. There were mostly other guys, and they only interacted with the customers in a limited way. But a social setting? He just wasn’t sure. “Promise me you won’t be mad if I screw it up?” he asked. His voice was whiny and pitiful, and he knew it, but he was terrified.
“I won’t be mad. Just do your best. That’s all I’m asking. Just ask yourself, ‘If I had a dad, would I want him to act this way?’ That should tell you what’s right and what’s not.”
He blew out a puff of air and opened his eyes. “Okay. I’m going to give it my best shot. I don’t know if that’ll be good enough, but I’ll try.”
“You can do it. I have faith in you.” He started to repeat what he’d said to her all those weeks before, but she interrupted him. “I know, but remember. I told you I have enough faith in you for both of us.”
There it was?that little spark of hope that snapped in his chest. “I remember. No matter what happens, I love you and these kids. If I screw up, it’ll be because I didn’t know I was screwing up.”
“Good enough. Now come on. You need to get dressed, and I’ve got to help Polly. I’m sure she’s out of the shower now and wondering where I am.” She reached for him and when he took her hand and stood, he felt stronger somehow. Anne did that for him. She gave him confidence and optimism when he didn’thave any on his own. “You’ll do so great. I can’t wait to hear about how much fun you had.”
“As long as I don’t screw up royally. Hope you know what you’re getting into sending me into this little social occasion,” he groused.
“Have a little faith in me! Gonna shower?”
Blue chuckled as she led him out of the house. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Oh my gosh. Blue?”Polly stood there, her jaw dangling and eyes the size of saucers. “Mom, you need to come in here. Please.”
“What’s going… Holy hell. Brent?”
“Whaddya think?” Palms turned up, he spun once. “Do I look that different?”
Anne’s eyes matched Polly’s. “You didn’t tell me you were going to do that!”
