Page 32 of Home Field Advantage
She opens the door, and I come up right behind her to see Nan standing at the front door.
“Oh, hi, Nan,” Sage says with a wave.
“Hey there, kiddo.” She lifts a little white paper bag in her hand with the words “Batter Up” written on the side in pink ink. “I brought my girl a first day of school treat.”
My girl.
My heart flutters in my chest at the kindness this woman is showing to someone she just met only days ago. It’s a small gesture to welcome my daughter and me to town. It makes me feel at ease that we have these people around us during our time here.
“For me?” Sage sparks up at her comment.
Nan nods. “Only the best treats we have in town come from the local bakery.”
“Treats? Oh my god.” She turns around, looking up at me with pleading eyes and hands in prayer. “Is it okay if I have some? I know I just had a snack, but my other tummy is ready for more.”
“Other tummy?” I laugh.
“Yes. The treat tummy. It’s empty and needs something sweet.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I glance over at Nan, who’s laughing behind her hand. “Do you want to come in?”
She doesn’t answer but crosses the door’s threshold, entering as if she’s been here a hundred times before. She goes to the kitchen with Sage in tow, rummaging through the cabinets for a small plate. I’m mildly taken aback by it, but intrigued by this strange woman and who she is in town.
She finds one, stuffs her hand into the bag, and pulls out apiece of crumb cake larger than my hand. My eyes widen, but I don’t stop her. Sage is beaming with happiness right now.
It’s all I’ve ever wanted to see from my little girl.
Nan slides the plate in front of Sage, and she dives right in. Nan then takes the second seat at the small table across from her. “How do you like Bluestone Lakes so far?”
“I love it.” She emphasizes the word. “The squirrels are a little different from back at home.”
Nan chokes. “The squirrels?”
“Yeah, the ones back home are mean. I think I once heard one growl like a tiger!” She puts her hands up, curling her fingers like claws. “The ones I saw when we were by the school just stay on the trees.”
“Interesting observation, kid.”
“I agree,” I add.
“Anyway,” Nan continues. “How was the first day of school?”
“So good,” she says with a mouth full of food and eyes in the back of her head. Almost as if she’s talking about the crumb cake and not just school. “I already have a boatload of best friends.”
“A boatload, huh?” Nan laughs.
“All of them.”
“Well, that’s great to hear, kid. And you like Miss Barlow?”
“How did you know that’s my teacher?”
Nan scoffs. “I know everything in this town. Did you know her sister owns the bakery and made that special treat just for you?”
Sage’s eyes widen even more. “That’s so cool. I love my teacher so much. She likes puzzles just like me!”
“She most definitely does,” Nan confirms. “She gets lost in them all hours of the night. We always know where to find her after seven in the evenin’ if we need her.”
“I could too. But I have a bedtime.”
