Keeping up

Joce is doing amazing and of course Tim has no problem obliging her. The next moment we find ourselves passing a familiar home with a familiar face standing by the driveway.

Little Blake. He and his sister are Joce and Tim’s best friends.

“Morning, Blake. It is kind of you to join.”

Blake is a handsome young fella, which I have tried to point out to Jocie. She just rolls her eyes and tells me she knows, but at least he will not break her heart because they will always be best friends, unlike girlfriends who come and go. Who is going to tell her that it is more complicated than that?

Blake, running backwards, taps Joce on the head. “Auntie Rae, it is not kindness. How is Jocelyn going to beat her record if she cannot even beat me?”

Joce, infuriated, pounces for Blake and we all share a laugh.

“You coming, Tim? I still need to give you a note from Hailey. She said she is sorry she could not make it, but she forgot to do her reading and my mom refused to sign her book after Mrs Shields’ last meeting.”

Tim stops in his tracks. “Nooo. I forgot my reading too. Mom, we have to turn back.”

Jocelyn, without missing a step, says, “Tim, it is too late now. Just take detention.”

Panic stricken, Tim looks over at me.

“Tim, go back home and then head over to Blake’s mom. I will message her and ask her to check your reading.”

Relieved, Tim turns and spins in the opposite direction, pedaling as fast as he can.

I message Blake’s mom, who has been a lifesaver lately. She responds with a laughing face and a thumbs up. Then I read her next message.

“How are you holding up? Dylan heard from him yesterday. He checked in and asked about you guys. That must be a good sign?”

My stomach flips.

So we were thinking about each other at the same time. That could be a sign of hope.

I message her back. “Hey, can you come over a bit later? I bought a new brand of coffee beans. They are divine.”

I plug my earphones in and scroll into our old chats. It probably sounds crazy, but there were days when things were good between my husband and me. We used to send each other goofy voice notes and sing each other’s praises. I do not think he will ever realise how much I loved his voice or how I yearned to feel his breath against my skin.

That man could stir something in me and make me feel all sorts of things. My breath stills for a moment as I remember his warm brown eyes gazing at me. He had a way of making me feel wanted, even after both my pregnancies.

The next moment I hear Jocelyn.

“Mom, snap out of it. We are heading back home. Can Blake eat breakfast with us?”

I did not want to leave my happy place or pause on his sweet messages. Catching my breath, I answer, “Sure, sweetie. It is just eggs on toast anyway. Will you be fine with that, Blake? We have cereal and leftovers from last night if you would rather have one of those.”

Blake, still catching his breath, grins. “Mrs Rae, I will eat anything. But first let us see if I make it to your house alive.”

Feeling sorry for them, I offer them a ride.

“Not on the first day, Mom. Anyway, come on, Blake. If we run fast enough, we can jump in the pool.”

Blake, suddenly forgetting all his aches and pains, picks up the pace. Believe it or not, I actually think Jocelyn might beat her record.