“I did, Daddy, you didn’t answer,” Ceona said with added sass in her tone. I pulled my phone out and noticed several calls from her. I dropped my head and shook it slightly before I put my attention on the counselor.
“I apologize; I wasn’t expecting the heavy traffic coming back over the bridge. It won’t happen again.” Which was true. I normally hopped on the ferry to get to and from, but thought I had enough time to just take the bridge so a paying customer could fit on the ferry over.
“Oh, it’s no worries at all. For the first day of camp, we tend to extend a grace window for pick-up and drop-offs. But going forward there will be fees for both as mentioned in yourpamphlet. Too many could result in withdrawal of your girls from the camp.”
Damn, a late fee even for kids?
I wanted to say just that but understood that my tardiness could be holding them up from other jobs or families too. So I just nodded and promised to do better before picking up Neela while Ceona walked beside me to the car.
Once inside the car, Ceona didn’t wait to talk my ear off about the kids at camp.
“Daddy, please tell me the house is ready and I don’t have to go back tomorrow. This one boy talked nonstop about his stupid game. And this girl swears her mom is famous but none of us have ever heard of her. And don’t even get me started on the food. They gave us bologna sandwiches for lunch. I can’t take it. It’s worse than school.” I wanted to laugh at her dramatic ways, but this was my baby girl.
“Cece, we talked about this. Just give me a few weeks then you and Neela and me will be in paradise for the rest of y’all’s break. Tell me what I can do to make your day better? How about we get BJ’s to fix the lunch situation?”
I looked in the rearview mirror at Neela first, who was already dozing off. It was my sweet girl’s nap time. This was her first time in a big girl setting so I knew she was tired and wouldn’t make it to eat at BJ’s. I then glanced at Ceona who had her head tilted as she tapped her chin as if my question required deep thought right now, making me chuckle to myself lowly.
“I’ma take that as a yes,” I said as I began to make my way home to order our food through the Munchies app so I could lay Neela down and hope Ceona did the same. It had been a long morning for everyone involved. I glanced back to see her finally nodding, making me smirk. I already knew what the answer would be. BJ’s was her and Neela favorite spot. Ceona loved the onion rings and Neela loved their banana shakes.
It grew quiet halfway through the ride and I looked back to see Ceona now fading right along with Neela and smiled.
No matter how much she preached this big girl persona, my baby girl still needed a good nap.
Chapter
Three
Olive
I made it to the park with five minutes to spare before they would dismiss the kids for the day. We made it to the end of the first week here at the summer camp, and so far, Jo-Jo hadn’t complained since the first morning.
I was counting my blessings and thanking God for it too. I wasn’t sure if it was the talk with Jasiel he had the other night, or if he was actually having fun, but it worked for me. Whenever I asked how his day was, I got the same nod with a nonchalant good and that was it. No details or anything, so I was almost sure his father was behind his changed behavior.
I glanced toward the pavilion where the crowd of kids were beginning to break free from their tables before I could even get out to wait for Jo-Jo. Normally I was one of the last to collect my kid to avoid all the madness, but today, I was facing it headfirst. It was Friday and had been a long ass day. I had a bottle of wine already chilling and my back deck waiting for me.
I staggered through the massive crowd of running kids, checking each that passed me for Jo-Jo. By the last few kids, and still no sight of him, I almost started to panic until I heard hisname being called. I looked up to see him making his way back toward the playground with two other kids in tow.
By the time I reached the playground area, he was sliding down the plastic slide, coming into view.
“Hey, Jo-Jo, are you ready to go?” I asked, already knowing better since he was making his way back over there.
“Not yet, Mommy. We didn’t get a chance to slide today because the line was too long before we could. And Ceona’s sister Neela didn’t get a chance either,” he said as he went running back around to slide again while I shook my head and found a bench to sit on while I waited for him. I put my attention on the girls and smiled. I decided to introduce myself since Jo-Jo was playing with them.
“Hi, I’m Ms. Liv.” The youngest clung to her sister, while the oldest smiled and waved. She then helped her sister up the steps so she could slide down.
I then turned to Jo-Jo who was making his way back around.
I snatched him close to me, hugged him, and kissed his head. “Okay, but, only for a few more minutes, Jo-Jo. Mommy is ready to go. We still have to stop and get groceries,” I said, already knowing he wasn’t listening nor did he care. I wasn’t sure about the time that passed before a camp counselor made her way over to us. I was sure she was here about the girls.
We offered each other the common courtesy smiles and hellos right as she called out to the girls, waving them over. The oldest grabbed her sister’s hand, making sure she was close to her.
“Is your dad here yet?” The oldest hung her head as she shook it while the youngest’s face began to form a saddened expression. Just from the moment I could tell this happened before and my first thought was to step in. I was up and moving quickly toward the trio; this camp was strict when it came to tardiness. The fees alone could be taxing or worse, kicking thekids out. If they were a working single parent like me, this would hurt everyone involved.
Before I could even think about what I was doing, my mouth was moving.
“They’re with me.”
Olive, why would you do that?
