“They won’t even know. I just got word today and that was after class. It’s last minute since the coordinator messed up my email address and someone on the board mentioned that I wasn’t on the roster.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, but I'm sure glad that they got this figured out. The conference is for University students. To be truthful with you, Ava, I've always dreamed of teaching at an Ivy League school. I get to speak at Harvard and I'm just tickled.”
“That’s really cool. I hope you have fun.”
“I sure will, now, you don’t worry about a thing, okay? You just leave the mess for when I come home and we’ll clean it all up together.”
“Don’t even worry about that, Felicia. Goodness! I’m hardly home as it is!”
“Well, that’s true, darlin’.” She gushes, and her excitement is palpable. I'm so happy for her. “You get lonesome you can have anyone over that you like, okay? It’s about time you brought some friends over.”
“I’ll be fine. I've got enough homework to choke a cow, anyway. Besides, if I get lonely I'll just go over to Gunner’s ranch. His mama spoils me rotten.”
“And you deserve it, love.” she says, giving me a hug. “Now, I've got to head on to bed early tonight, on account of my flight leaving at five o’clock in the morning. The airport limousine will be here at three-thirty to pick me up. So, I'll say my goodbyes now.”
She gives me another hug and we embrace for a minute, as I drink her in. This woman means everything to me, and I know that she'll only be gone a week, but that’s a week longer than we’ve been apart since I moved in with her. We’re both teary-eyed when we separate. “Gosh, I love you, doll. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I was about to say the exact same thing.” I chuckle through tears.
More chuckling. “Alright. I need to get to bed. I've got an exciting day ahead.”
“You made a rhyme.” I laugh through tears.
She cries, laughing, hugging me again. “Oh, love...what am I going to do with you?”
“Nothing.”
She pulls back, sighing. “You’re right. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
***
“Well, that’s just silly, darlin’.” Emma says as I tell her that I'm staying at Felicia’s alone all week. “You can stay here with us if you want to. I'll make sure you get well fed and Gunner here can drive you to school and to work and all. He can take you horseback riding whenever you want. And Kate and Zack bring the baby over almost every night.”
“Oh, gosh, you make a tough bargain.”
“It’s settled then. You can stay in Zack’s old room.”
I can’t hide my smile. I love being here. And before I know it we’re sitting at the dinner table, eating delicious food, laughing, and Kate hands me Tucker. I’m really getting a knack for holding him. His little bottom is already growing, and he wiggles more, but I’ve got it. “Now, if he gets heavy, you just bring him to Zack. Myra and I are going to go see the horses.”
“Will do.” I say, rubbing Tucker’s back. He’s so cuddly and he never cries.
“He’s a good baby, huh.” Emma comments, stroking the downy hair on his head.
“He is.”
“My boys were just like this. That’s how come I had so many of them.”
“I don’t blame you. I want to have a litter of these little things.”
She chuckles. “All in good time, darlin’.”
“Oh, I know. I just didn’t…know I knew.” I chuckle, holding the baby tight to me. “Gosh, I never knew babies could be so wonderful.”
“They’re not always wonderful, mind.” Zack states. “A couple of my friends have babies, and they’re awful. We got lucky with Tucker.”
“That’s because he’s your baby, and you were a dream, Zack.” Emma brags proudly, going over to kiss her son on the cheek. Emma is such a loving mama. I never knew mamas could be like that. I love being around her and I can’t help but feel like it’s mutual.
