“I can’t help it. This is my favorite fair food, and I get to have it before October.”
“Fair point.”
We eat in silence for a few moments and I want to ask her when I’ll get to meet her kids. I know we’re still in the early stages of dating, and despite what my mom advised, it’ll make us feel official. Who’s to say she won’t drop me for a guy closer in age to her?
Joan is oblivious to the struggle I’m having, and looks around for a place to set her finished corn on the cob. “I wish I would have thought to bring a bag. There’s no way I’m going to finish this turkey leg before we move on to the next thing.”
“Give me a few minutes.” I stand and look around to the closest booth. Most of the vendors have a bag of some sort. I rush over to a person selling notebooks and ask for a bag. She graciously gives me one, and I make my way back to the table. “Ask and you shall receive.”
“Thanks.” Her smile is wide as she takes the bag and puts it on her lap. “My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach.”
I watch her as she takes a few bites of her turkey leg. I do the same, and realize I won’t be able to finish mine either. “Looks like I’m having the same problem.”
She wraps up her food, opens the bag and places it inside. “Snack for later?”
“Absolutely.” I add mine to the bag and take it from her. Today is about her and I won’t make her carry this around all day. “Where do you want to go next?”
“Why don’t we start there?” She points to the booth I got the bag from. “It looks like they may have some stuff my daughter would like.”
I follow her to the booth and hang to the side while she looks at the notebooks on display. They pages are sewn in by hand, and the covers are leather with varying designs. She finds a small one she likes, and pays for it before I get a chance to pull out my wallet.
The next few booths don’t have anything to hold our interest and we make our way down the line. The day is warming up, and we’ll need to take breaks before long. Otherwise we’ll end up sunburnt and dehydrated.
We stop at a vendor who sells candles. They are brave selling these in the summer. It’s going to be a scorcher, and I can’t help but wonder if the wax will melt. I find a large one with flowers poking out of the wax, and know my mom would love it. As I pay, I feel Joan grab onto my shirt before ducking behind me.
“What’s wrong?”
“My kids are here. Shit.”
Maybe this is my chance to meet them. It’s not like I’m going out of my way. Fate has placed them here at the same time we are. That has to mean something.
18
Joan
Of all theplaces Keith could take the kids this weekend, he decides to bring them here. Why didn’t Abby text me with a warning. She knows I planned on being in this area today.
“Why are you hiding? We can go say hi.” Eric doesn’t seem to understand how badly that will go.
Even though Keith and I have a great co-parenting relationship, I haven’t mentioned seriously dating anyone to him. The only one who knows is Abby. She doesn’t need to be put in the middle of whatever fallout could potentially happen.
“My ex-husband, nor my son, know anything about you. I can’t guarantee it would be a happy introduction.”
This is the problem with dating someone far younger than me. He doesn’t understand the nuances of dating with children. The wrench it can throw in their lives, and the distrust they could have toward me. I know I probably should have mentioned it to Isaac. I’ve never been one to hide things from them. But…this feels like a time to wait until things pan out how they are going to happen.
“I don’t think you’re giving them enough credit. They have to know you won’t be single forever.”
“My daughter knows. Well, she guessed and asked me about it before the game yesterday.”
“Okay.” He moves away from the booth. “We can head back to the car if you want.”
“Yes.” I nod and turn back in the direction of the car. “That sounds like a good idea.”
“Mom.” The decision is ripped out of my hands. Isaac’s voice floats above the rest of the crowd and I know this isn’t going to go well. Should I try to rush us along and pretend I didn’t hear him? No. I can’t do that. He’d never forgive me.
“Damn it.” Turning around to the sound of my name, I wait for my former husband and kids to approach me. Eric stands beside me, but slightly behind. He is out of his element when it comes to this, and I feel horrible for putting him in the position.
Abby’s eyes are wide, and she mouths a quick sorry in my direction. It’s not her place to have to say sorry. I should have told Isaac and their dad I was dating. He’s never let it be a secret when he’s dating, and I feel like I’ve betrayed the trust we’ve built through the years of coparenting.
