Page 80 of Spotlight
“You look great,” he says. I’m dressed more casually, in leggings and a T-shirt, than any other time we’ve hung out.
“Thank you.”
Greer comes running to the door and hugs Flynn around the legs.
“We’re going cactus jumping!” she shouts.
“Cactus jumping?” Flynn asks her, then glances at me.
I chuckle. “It’s a trampoline park, The Jumping Cactus.”
One side of his mouth pulls into a smile. “A trampoline park, huh? That sounds awesome.”
“It’s Ben’s birthday.”
“Who’s Ben?” he asks her.
“A kid in my class. He has two dads.”
Flynn’s smile lifts higher. “Is that right?”
She nods excitedly.
“Grab your grip socks and Ben’s present,” I tell Greer, and she runs back to her room.
“Her kindergarten class is doing family trees,” I explain her fascination with Ben’s parents. She’s just now figuring out what’s “normal” among her classmates and comparing her situation. “I think she’s jealous he has two when she barely sees her dad.”
“I remember feeling like that,” he says.
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. I dreaded all those school events, Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom.” He visibly shudders. “Even sporting events were awkward sometimes. People who didn’t know my situation assumed my mom and dad were both alive and in attendance. I hated correcting them, but the strained apologies when I finally had to set them straight were worse.”
“I’m sorry.” I was probably one of those kids who assumed everyone was like me, and before I had Greer, I never thought about how other kids who didn’t have a parent to come along must have felt. “If it makes you feel better, they’ve rebranded. It’s Donuts with Grown-Ups now.”
A real smile spreads across his face. “Nice.”
“It doesn’t stop her from realizing other people see their dad more than she does, but it’s something.”
“She’ll be okay.” He tips his head toward Greer’s room.
“Thanks for that.” It’s an ever-present fear of mine. That she’ll feel less-than or not get the love and attention she needs.
But that’s not something I want to dwell on tonight. Greer comes out with her socks in one hand and Ben’s present in the other.
“You ready for this?” I ask them as I grab my purse and phone.
“Are you kidding? I’ve been dying to go cactus jumping.” His eyes twinkle with amusement.
We take my SUV to the trampoline park. Greer chatters happily the entire ride and Flynn is a good sport, talking with her and answering her every question.
Once we arrive, she spots Ben and other classmates already jumping and takes off to join them in the trampoline area. I lead Flynn toward the party room to drop off Ben’s present and say hi to his dads, who are setting up the room with balloons and cute dump truck themed plates and party favors.
Flynn is gracious, shaking their hands and introducing himself. Especially when one of them, Blake, gives Flynn that side-eye, you-look-familiar look.
“Were you at Donuts with Grown-Ups?” he asks Flynn.
If they knew he was a professional baseball player, they’d be losing their minds right now. It makes me feel like I’m in on an inside joke with Flynn.
