Page 33 of She Wolf

It says the class will be learning about the four seasons and the sun and moon, but we need to choose one to focus on at home over the next few weeks. He chooses Fall and I don’t even need to ask why. Everything in that child’s head boils down to hockey.

He loves playing soccer in the garden with Anna and he plays ball with my dad when he’s at their house, but he is never happier than when he has a stick in his hands and skates on his feet. Even as I look at him now, he’s decked out in his Wolves sweats.

“So, who did you play with at school today?”

“Erm, Beau mainly. Summer sat by me in recess.” His cheeks redden a little as he mentions her name.

“Oh yeah?” I ask, unable to hide my smile.

“I gave her my apple juice. Mr. Trent checked his sheet and said it was okay to

share.” The blush deepens.

“You did? That was kind. How come?”

“I looked at her snack all this week and it wasn’t much, so I said I didn’t want it. Can I take two tomorrow?” he says quietly, looking up at me.

“Of course, you can,” I reply, my mind already engaging in work mode. But I shake out of it. Maybe he just thinks it’s not a lot because he has the appetite of a fourteen-year-old.

“Good. Umm, she smells nice, like strawberries or something. I want another juice box just in case I get to sit by her again.”

“Okay. How about I cut up a few extra apple slices and put them in a Ziploc bag? Would that be nice?”

“Yes, then I can share them with her too. Hey, maybe before school next week we can make apple cookies and I can take them in.”

“Let’s not get carried away, you need to first ask if she has any allergies.”

Jack nods like he understands but I’ll check with Mr. Trent, his teacher, when I collect him tomorrow as it’s my non-working day. The recipes I use when baking for school are usually fine.

“Come on then let’s get cracking. How about we do research and then make a plan of how you want your project to look? Diorama style or an information booklet, you can choose. We have three weeks.”

“Cool Mom. I’ll go get the laptop.” He runs off on his little socked feet and I start googling project ideas on my phone when it pings.

Gunner Grey:So, two kisses, a bouquet, and a dreamy date on the cards. Am I your

boyfriend yet?

He’s cute.

Me:Hmmm, I dunno. The date is yet to be solidified. Maybe I should play the field a

little? Date around.

Gunner Grey:Fuck that. Jesus. Now I’m going to have to pull out the big guns.

I can’t help but laugh at him. As if, when I’m ready, I’d ever want to call anyone else my boyfriend. Still, he’s fun to mess with.

Me:I’m just thinking the more options the better.

Gunner Grey:This was no fun.

An hour later there’s a knock at the door. Chloe said she’d be over about now so when

I open it and find nothing but a wicker picnic basket on the front step, I’m confused.

Gathering it up, I make my way over and sit at the bottom of the staircase, my phone pinging again.

Gunner Grey:Treat yourself like the queen you are and have a little pamper time.

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