“I’m not sure. Your dad just asked me if I could pick you up from school while he’s at work because Mrs. Neal had an appointment.”
“You should stay. I like it when you stay.”
“I like it when I stay too,” I told her honestly.
“If Dad says no you can sleep in my room.”
“Awe, thanks, Isla. I’ll talk to him when he gets home. Okay?” As much as I wanted to stay, I didn’t want to outstay my welcome and certainly wasn’t about to make promises I couldn’t keep.
My phone buzzed and I looked down and saw Luke had replied.
Luke:
Luke:Wish I was there
Luke:Enjoy your afternoon
Refusing to be one of those people who was more focused on their phone than what was going on around them, I shoved it back in my purse and gave Isla all my attention. She was telling me about how her teacher asked her to stand in front of the class and read a book. Isla was so proud of herself and honestly, I was proud of her too. If someone asked me to stand in front of a room full of people and read, I probably would’ve wet my pants, then run away crying.
After we finished up our afternoon tea, we got cleaned up and headed to the park. Both of us riding high on the sugar wave, I wanted to work some of it out of Isla’s system before I took her home.
“Charlotte, can you please push me on the swings?” Isla asked barely letting me agree before she was off and running toward them.
Stuffing my phone in my back pocket, I walked over, checked she was holding on, and started pushing her gently.
“Higher! Higher!” she called out, laughter in her voice.
There were a couple of other kids on the playground, but they seemed to be too obsessed with the climbing wall to care what Isla was doing.
“More?” I asked.
“Keep going, Charlotte! Higher!”
So I did what I was asked. I pushed her higher and higher until my arms hurt, and she’d had enough. When she jumped off the swing, she wobbled on her feet and grabbed my hand. “Whoa! Are you okay?” I asked.
“Dizzy,” she replied, holding her free hand to her head.
“Come and sit down for a minute then,” I encouraged, leading her toward the bench seat.
“But I want to go on the slippery dip,” she whined, reminding me how old she was. Sometimes Isla acted older than her years, but then in moments like this or at bath time she reverted to the temperamental kid she was.
“You can go on the slippery dip in a minute. Let’s just have a little rest first.” God knows I needed one.
Reluctantly, and with a pout she came and sat beside me quietly. I was a bit surprised really. Quiet wasn’t a word I’d use to describe Isla. Enthusiastic, energetic, loud, yes. Quiet, no.
After a few minutes, she asked if she could go play again.
“How are you feeling now?” I checked.
“I’m fine,” she replied dramatically, complete with eye roll.
“Off you go then. But be careful,” I warned as she ran off toward the monkey bars and slippery dip.
Leaning back, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the last of the afternoon sun. Soon it’d be too cold to be out here but for now, it was nice.
“Charlotte! Look at me,” Isla called from the top of the slide.
“Wow! You’re so high,” I replied, playing along, only to get a knowing nod from the other parents hovering nearby.
