Page 50 of Lost Times

She wiped her eyes one last time and took my hand, tugging me toward the door. Leading the way to the living room, she stopped short at the doorway, both of us pausing to take in Ludwig.

His computer was open and he sat nearby, head in his hands with waves of defeat rolling off him. The sight was painful to witness, but before I could think of what to say or do, Jasmine let go of me and crawled onto the couch.

He barely had time to do more than pull his hands away before she’d pushed into his lap, her head burrowing into his shoulder. He froze, hands hovering over her just like the first time she’d hugged him.

Then he looked at me. Hope, pain, and uncertainty showed there, and I offered a smile. “She forgives quickly.”

His throat bobbed on his next swallow and he curled her into him, tucking his chin onto her head with a shaky sigh. They stayed like that and I watched, the sight quieting the doubts for now.

Things weren’t okay, not by a long shot, and if he didn’t show up to her next game or recital they’d be a lotlessokay, but that was a worry for the future.

For now, we’d just have to see how things played out.

Later that night, I laid next to Ludwig, both of us fully clothed. To say we weren’t in the right mood for more was an understatement.

He faced me, his mouth set in a line. Over the past few hours he’d been stewing on something, and finally he spoke.

“You’re still worried about me not showing up for her next game.”

I winced, but before I could pull away, he caught my hand and squeezed gently. “I’m not blaming you, to be clear. The only way I’ll soothe that doubt, in both you and Jasmine, is by being there for the next one and every one after that. I just wanted you to know that I’m not going back to what I was before, not for anything. I’m not my father, and after this, I’ll be making sure the secretary runsallimportant meetings by me before scheduling them. This won’t happen again.”

The dead certainty to his tone wiped at the edges of my doubts and I nodded, relaxing into the hollow of his throat. I didn’t have anything to say, but this was hopefully sufficient.

He tightened his grip around me, pulling the blankets up in a makeshift cocoon around us. Once we were tucked in, hidden from the world, I let myself drift.

Tomorrow was going to be rough for everyone, but now it was for us.

Now was okay.

Chapter 20

The air was notably somber the next day as Jasmine pulled on her soccer uniform. She’d put on a smile for Ludwig, but the second he turned away, it fell.

He’d noticed, and his lips were curled into a pained grimace. He’d chosen a dark suit and a matching briefcase, all the papers he’d need for his presentation inside it. Combined with his usual brushed-back hair style, he was devastating.

I couldn’t enjoy it though, not with both of them hurting like this.

He stood by the door, waiting for us to be ready so we could go our separate ways. Jasmine hesitated on the other side of the room, reluctance clear, but after a minute she gave in and stood between us.

Ludwig offered her a tired smile, kneeling to give her a hug as he spoke. “Maybe when I finish with the meeting you can show me how to play soccer? I’ve never tried it before, so I’ll need lots of practice.”

She perked up a bit at that, returning the hug and nodding into his shoulder. “I’d like that…and can we watch the video when you get home?”

He hummed, tightening his grip around her. “Of course.” Straightening, he faced me and opened his arms. I stepped in, letting myself enjoy the warm cocoon for a minute before patting his chest.

“Knock them dead out there,” I said, Jasmine giving a smile that was a tad more genuine as she cheered.

“Yeah, show them who’s boss!”

He chuckled, “The hope is that everyone leaves this meeting alive and happy, but I’ll keep your advice noted.” Turning to the door, he hesitated and then smiled at Jasmine. “Good luck with your game; you’ll do great.”

Then he left. The sound of the engine turning over came, and once it petered off into the distance, Jasmine tugged on my hand, still keeping that forced smile on her face.

“We should go or we’ll miss Nana, right?” She asked, and I nodded, leading the way out. Mom would be waiting at the school for us, and I could use her soothing presence right now. If the way Jasmine perked up was any indicator, she could too.

Thankfully the drive over was lighter than the morning had been so far, Jasmine fiddling with the radio until she was happy. The first face we saw when we pulled into the school parking lot was Mom herself, her hair done up and cheeks stretched in a wide smile.

“Why, if it isn’t my favorite ladies!” Jasmine was out of the car and in her arms in a blink, snuggling in without an ounce of hesitation. Moving at a slower rate, I joined them, accepting my hug as Mom looked behind us, her smile falling into a confused frown.

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