The next morning, Hazel dragged herself out of bed to start the day.Mike and Jed were already in the kitchen.
She padded to them and grinned when she saw that Mike had made coffee, and he and Jed were working together to make eggs and bacon for breakfast.Mike had canceled early morning lessons for the few days Jed would be with them, and it was a relief to see that the day was off to a promising start.
“’ Morning, boys!”Hazel walked over to Mike for a kiss and then hugged Jed.“It’s going to be an exciting day.Jed, you’re going to the movies with me and a very special grandmother.Someone who babysits for a friend of mine.How’s that for a surprise?”
“I like movie surprises,” said Jed.“Why is she coming with us?”
“Because I want you to get to know her.Later in the week, she’s going to stay with you while I attend an afternoon meeting.”
Jed frowned.
“If you’re not comfortable with her, let me know, and we’ll find someone else,” Hazel said.
“Okay,” said Jed, giving her a solemn look.
“Wish I could go to the movies, too.But now that we have a beautiful day, I’ll be out on the courts teaching,” Mike said.
“Am I coming to tennis with you?”asked Jed.
“Yes.You can be my ball boy,” Mike said.
Jed grinned and gave him a thumbs-up sign.
###
After Mike and Jed left, Hazel straightened up the house and set the table for dinner.It was going to be a busy day, and she wanted the evening to go more smoothly than yesterday.She was still shaken by Jed’s crying during the night and knew a consistent routine might help him.
She went into work with a lighter heart and got busy with some projects for the Fall.She’d learned through teaching how important preparation was.If only she could tell Jed that he’d be allowed to move with Lisa.
Mike took care of lunch with Jed while Hazel finished typing up a report for the board overseeing the Center.
Hazel grabbed a cup of coffee and a cracker to eat as she went to pick up Jed.
Jed was waiting for her outside the Café with Mike as she pulled to the curb.
Mike opened the door for Jed and said, “You two have fun.See you later.”
After making sure Jed had his seatbelt on in the backseat, Hazel took off for The Woodlands.
“Ms.Lucy Nordby is the name of the woman we’re picking up,” said Hazel.“She’s excited to meet you.As I told you before, she babysits for a friend of mine and loves children.I think she’s lonely, which is why we need to make her feel welcome.”
Jed listened intently without speaking.
Hazel pulled up to the front circle of The Woodlands.
A short, blond woman with a curvy and well-kept body got out of a rocking chair on the porch and, smiling, waved at them, then hurried over to the car.
Lucy opened the passenger door and turned to look at Jed in the back seat.“Who is this handsome young man?My date for the afternoon?”
“Lucy, this is Jed.Jed, this is Ms.Lucy,” said Hazel.
“I’m always excited to meet new people,” said Lucy, sliding onto the passenger seat.“And I love going to the movies.What movie have you picked for us to see, Jed?”
Jed grinned.“It’s a new Disney movie.”
“Oh, I love that.Thank you for making such an exciting choice,” said Lucy.“I have a feeling we’re going to get along just fine.”
Hazel saw through the rear-view mirror that Jed was nodding his head up and down.She let out a sigh of relief.She didn’t mind having the responsibility of caring for Jed, but she liked having a backup person to support her.
