“I don’t think it’ll be a problem, but I’d like to talk to your mom or dad first.”
“My mom is over there talking to Ms. Taysia.”
I looked in the direction he pointed.
“Okay. Let her know that Keelan and I are waiting for her outside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Come on, Keelan.”
I’d already signed him out, so we left the building and waited near the entrance. A few minutes passed as I listened to him tell me about this day. We weren’t outside long before Trey and his mother appeared.
“Hi! You must be Keelan’s mother. I’m Kindra.”
I took the hand she offered as I introduced myself. Apparently, she’d met Keelan already.
“Keelan is very excited about Trey’s birthday party. Are you sure it’s okay that he comes?”
“Oh yes, of course. Trey’s been talking about Keelan since camp started. Here’s the invitation.”
She dug into her purse, retrieved an envelope, and handed it to me.
“Thank you.”
“No problem, girl, and you’re welcome to drop him off and do errands, or you can stay. I know you don’t know us, so whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Actually, I recently met your brother-in-law.”
“Graham?”
“Yeah. He moved into the house across the street from mine a few weeks ago.”
Her eye widened, and she said, almost to herself than me, “Oh, so you’re his future wife?”
I frowned, confused. “Excuse me?”
She shook her head as if she were shaking her thoughts away. Her lips curled into a smile as she responded.
“Graham is my brother-in-law, and meeting you clears up a few things.”
“Oh, really? Like what?”
“I’d rather not say, but it’s nothing bad or anything you should worry about. I have to get going, but I hope to see you at the party on Saturday.”
“It was nice meeting you, and thanks again for the invitation.”
“No problem. It was nice meeting you too. Trey, let’s go.”
The boys had gone over to the grass and were running around, chasing each other. When Kindra called her son, they both came racing in our direction. We headed to our cars, and as soon as Keelan was secured in the back, he asked about the party.
“So, can I go, Mom?”
“You can go.”
“Yes! It’s atArcade Universe, and it’s gonna be so much fun. Thanks, Mom.”
The excitement in his voice did my heart good. He unfastened his seat belt and awkwardly hugged me from behind.
