“I saw! You’re doing amazing!”
That’s when I clocked her. She was crossing to the sideline in heels, maneuvering on grass. Cropped pants tailored to the inch, a blouse definitely not designed for a youth football game, sunglasses the size of saucers, and straight silky hair down to her waist.
Lorraine saw her the same second I did. “Oh, Lord. That one.”
“Tell me why she’s here,” Simone muttered to Taryn.
Taryn shaded her eyes. “Wearing Louboutins. To peewee football.”
“Coordinated with the team colors, too.” Simone pointed with her cup. “Blouse matches the jerseys? You think that’s an accident?”
“Whole outfit screamingpick me, Coach!” Khaz said behind me, dry.
They all laughed. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t know who she was. So I just watched as she made it to the sideline. She said something to Julian and he nodded, polite and brief, then turned back to the field.
I’m not going to watch this, I told myself.None of my business. I’m not going to watch this.I watched.
She tried again; he said something without turning around. Then she put a hand on his arm and he stepped back, half a step, and crouched down to one of the kids on the bench instead, tying his cleats. She stood there for a while after that, checking her phone, then drifting toward the fence a few feet away. He didn’t acknowledge her again.
“Girl can’t take a hint,” Lorraine said, loud enough for four rows.
“Mama.”
“She doesn’t, Khaz.”
“She can probably hear you.”
“So?”
By halftime she’d attached herself to his side. Simone and I walked over to check in with our boys and give them their halftime snacks of orange slices. I knew better, but couldn’t help but slow down, hearing her mid-sentence:
“…could discuss it over dinner. That new place downtown?”
“Sabrina, I don’t have time for that.”
“It’ll be quick.”
“Uncle Julian, watch this!” Zhaire chucked a wobbling spiral, and Julian scooped him up mid-spin. “That’s perfect. You’re gonna be better than all of us.”
She rolled her eyes just slightly.He missed it but I didn’t. She tried once more. “Julian, I just want to?—”
“Sabrina, no.” Simple. Final. “I’ve been clear.”
Halftime ended and Julian went back on the field, leaving Sabrina to go back to finding something fascinating on her phone.
When the game ended we’d won by two touchdowns. The Wade section erupted like we’d won a title, Zhaire and Micah hugging and high-fiving midfield. Tre was filming and taking pictures, and Zion had a kid hoisted onto his shoulders.
“Food at my house,” Lorraine announced.
Sabrina materialized one more time as we packed up. “That was…fun. Where are you headed?”
“Family brunch,” Julian said, leaning on the wordfamily.
“How about if I —”
“It’s just family, Sabrina.” Then, softer, like he felt bad: “I’ll have Glory send you the investment contact Monday.”
She perked right back up. “Perfect. We can discuss that opportunity.”
