Page 34 of Scoring Chances
We hang up. And now I feel like a total ass. But I’ll be an even bigger ass if my mother arrives and finds out that James Anderson’s kids are here.
I’d hate to ruin her one opportunity to unwind from her career as a heart surgeon. She works in one of the country’s best hospitals. She’s always working. She doesn’t need this.
I tear the sheets away from my body and jump out of the bed. After showering and brushing my teeth, I head down for some coffee. I had no idea anyone else was awake. The house was so quiet. But huddled in the kitchen are Cassidy and Maddie mixing a bowl of something.
“What are you two up to?”
Maddie’s head pops up and looks back, “We’re making French toast!”
Cassidy doesn’t even turn to look at me.
“Oh yeah?” I walk over to the coffee machine and pull down a mug. “You seem extra excited about it.”
“They’re Dad’s favorite. Cassidy’s showing me how to make them. And maybe when he comes back from vacation I can make him some.”
I still just before I’m about to pour my coffee and look over at Cassidy who’s making a face at me that says, See?
“Oh,” is all I can muster to say. I turn back to my mug and fill it up. My mind whirling with what to do.
How am I supposed to handle this? Maddie is eight. She already lost her mother when she was only six. How in the world am I supposed to tell her that her dad is gone too?
I don’t. I just need to distract her.
“I was thinking… maybe this would be a good weekend to go the beach?”
Maddie drops the whisk and looks over at me. “Are you serious?’
I shrug. “Why not?” It’s not like I have much going on right now anyways.
“Like today?”
“Yeah! What do you think?”
Maddie looks at Cassidy and then back at me. “Can Cassidy come?”
“I don’t know… can you come, Cassidy?”
Cassidy doesn’t react. She just says, “Where they go, I go.”
“Yaay!” Maddie jumps off the stool toward the stairs, yelling, “I need to go pack my swimsuit.”
Cassidy turns and leans on the counter, staring at me.
“What? Problem solved. No more sad daddy french toast.” I lean against the counter I’m near and sip my coffee.
“Avoidance? That’s your idea of problem-solving?” She crosses her arms over her chest. And I notice she’s wearing one of the shirts I picked out and bought for her.
“I like your outfit.”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
I shrug. “Look, Maddie’s going to find out soon enough. And when she does, she’s going to be miserable. The least we can do is give her the best summer she can have before her entire world comes crashing down.”
She shakes her head, “I don’t know if that’s the best idea, Joshua. What if she ends up hating you for not telling her?”
Well then hopefully, she’ll be with her new foster family by the time that happens.
“Let’s not worry about that right now. It’s summer. Focus on the fun.” I go to her and shake her shoulders. “Let loose.”