“You can be better. Be good,” Jackson orders, tone low, washing over me in a gentle wave. Something inside me claws to the surface, demanding I fight, forcing my arms against his chest to push him away. He goes easily, stumbling back a little before catching himself.
“Don’t…” I trail off, unsure how to finish my sentence. I crouch down to get level with Honey.
She licks her lips and whines as I stare into her deep brown eyes. My heart calms slowly while I pet her, her warm golden fur easing the pounding of blood in my ears. Without a word to Jackson, I head towards the crowded area on the grassy incline. People are scattered around watching the movie, low murmurs go in one ear and out the other as I scan the crowd for my family.
Spotting Andy, Beau, and Trevor among the masses is easy. There’s always a reserved spot towards the front left for the family. My attitude dramatically improves when I notice little Savannah sitting in the middle of the large picnic blanket. Hergrin when she spots me rivals a sunrise at the beach. I definitely made the right choice in coming tonight if only because she’s here.
“Harper!” Savannah screams excitedly, disrupting numerous moviegoers nearby.
I hold my finger to my lips to urge her to be quiet, slowly easing down onto the blanket beside her. “Hi.”
Her excited little hand grips mine tight. “I know Honey is working, so I’m not supposed to touch her, but can I tell her she’s a good girl?”
Savannah always asks before touching Honey. Even when her vest isn’t on. It’s endearing and sweet and reiterates why I think Savannah is the perfect child. No competition.
“Go on,” I say, giving her permission.
Savannah aims a gap-tooth grin my way, then dips around me to acknowledge Honey. “You’re the best girl. Thank you extra much for keeping Harper safe these past few weeks.”
Oh fuck, don’t cry. I dig my fingers into my palm, doing my best to keep all my emotions at bay. When Savannah sits back up and smiles with a little giggle, I know everything’s going to be fine.
I notice there’s only popcorn in front of her and frown. No candy? I’ll fix that.
“Joey, you didn’t get your kid any M&M’s to put in her popcorn?” I snipe at him.
Joey groans loudly. “They’re out of them at the concession stand!”
“Well, that just won’t do, will it, Miss Savannah?”
Savannah excitedly sits on her knees, looking from me to her father. Her light blonde curls jump as she excitedly bounces around. “No!”
“Harper…” Joey pinches the bridge of his nose, then aims a sidelong glance at a quiet Lee sitting beside him. “They had Sno-Caps but she didn’t want them.”
I mock gasp. “Savannah, Sno-Caps are just chocolate chips. That’sbetterthan M&M’s. Let’s try adding those.”
Savannah claps her little hands. “Okay!”
I patiently make my way through the dark grounds crowded with people. A high school kid mans the stand, but he doesn’t blink at Honey, so that’s a plus. Sno-Caps in hand, I slowly make my way back to the group. Jackson’s gaze is hot on the side of my face as I sit, open the box of candies, and dump them into the small bag of popcorn for Savannah. Happy with the addition, she digs in with gusto, and a smile inches across my lips.
Savannah cuddles close to me as the night goes on. The breeze gets a little chillier each time it blows over us. Her hands get sticky with chocolate and popcorn, but I don’t mind a bit. I convince her to wipe her dirty hands on the blanket instead of asking her father for a napkin, earning me a long-suffering look from Colby considering it’s his blanket. I grin in the dark, knowing he’ll just wash the blanket as soon as he gets home.
By the time the movie ends, Savannah is sound asleep with her head resting gently in my lap. I tenderly run my fingers through her soft blonde curls. I’d always wanted a sibling, someone to share secrets with, someone to make me laugh. Instead, I’d remained an only child, but luckily my extended family is large. I’d had enough cousins to make up for the lack of a sibling.
But the shining star is Savannah. Joey is family through love, not by blood, but watching Savannah grow up has been a shining spot in my often miserable life. Children see Honey and don’t see a handicap, but a superhero sidekick. Spending time with Savannah makes me feel distinctly normal, less like an oddity.Adults often just try to avert their gaze, but children look at me head-on, and treat me like they would anyone else.
“She’s conked out.” Joey chuckles as he lovingly sweeps his fingers over his daughter’s forehead. The tender movement has a knot forming in my throat.
“She still has chocolate on her face. Sorry.”
Joey snorts softly. “No, you’re not.”
I bite my lip to contain my smirk. “You’re right, I’m not.”
With a small sigh, Joey dips down to easily cradle Savannah into his arms. She releases a small disappointed sound, but quiets when I let her squeeze my outstretched hand. I watch Joey, Savannah, and Lee disappear into the crowd, all while rubbing the chocolate from my hand onto the blanket.
“Seriously, Harper. We have napkins.” Colby frowns deeply while packing up the camping chairs.
Eli winks toward me. “We’ll wash it later, boyfriend.”
