“You are trying way too hard. If I didn’t know any better I would think someone in this room has a crush.” Lydia laughed.
“I don’t know why I am friends with you two.” I tossed the shirts at both the girls as they laughed.
Leigha caught the old shirt and held it up to her. She said mockingly, “My name is Annie. Look at me, everybody. I like making my life as difficult as possible and denying my lady bits of anything fun.”
“You two are fired. I am going to hire new best friends. Go home.”
“Oh, stop being such a party pooper. We are just trying to have a little fun with you.” Leigha commented.
Lydia climbed off my bed and walked over to my closet. “Here, we will help you find something so you don’t show up looking like some rockstar groupie from the era of bad fashion.” She started thumbing through my closet, pulling out different shirts and tossing them onto my bed. “You go get Gabe’s clothes packed and we will get you all taken care of. You only have an hour before the car is here.”
“Fine. But, I swear you two better not have me dressed like some cheap hoe. I will call Jase and make him go.”
“Would we ever do something like that?” Leigha asked innocently.
I rolled my eyes. “You heard me.” I marched out of my room and away from the tart twins.
Gabe was laying on the floor in the middle of his room coloring. “Hey, buddy. Are you excited for today?”
He didn’t look at me. Slightly lifting one shoulder he said, “Yeah, I guess.”
This was not my son. He had been so excited for the game. Now that it was here he was acting like he didn’t care if we went or not. I sat and crossed my legs out in front of me. “What’s going on? You were so exicted.”
He stopped coloring to look at me briefly then returned to his picture. “Gage said he would get me a jersey and sign it. I think he forgot about me.” The sadness on my sons face broke my heart. I’m sure to Gage, Gabe is just some little boy wanting a stupid jersey. But, to my son, Gage was like a living, breathing hero. He hadn’t stopped talking about him since that day on the beach. Sure, Gage was just being nice and inviting us to his game, but he shouldn’t have made a promise to my son then not followed through. I couldn’t tell my baby that though. So, I lied.
“He’s very busy, Gabe. You should be thankful that you get to go to his game, with or without his jersey.”
Gabe huffed and puffed before saying, “Is it time to go?”
“Almost. Is that what you want to wear?” I pointed to the clothes he had picked out this morning. For a five year old boy, the kid had syle. He had on black, grey, and maroon plaid shorts with a grey polo shirt. He looked like a mini Scott Disick. Obviously my son was a lot cuter, though.
He nodded. “Yeah. Is that okay, mommy?”
“Yes, sir. You look very handsome.”
Gabe laughed. “Thank you ma’am.”
I loved this kid. “I’m going to pack your bag for tonight. Anything special you want to take?”
“Don’t forget my underwear. You forgot them last time I stayed with Uncle Jase.”
Oops. “Sorry. Mommy has been a little distracted lately.”
“Yeah, I noticed. Want to talk about it?” What the hell? When did my son become a therapist?
“It’s grown up stuff, bud. Nothing fun.”
Gabe dropped his crayon and turned serious. “I am five years old. That is a whole hand. I think I can handle it, mom. I have learned a lot in my years. I’m getting smart in my old age.”
Seriously, kid? “Where did you learn to talk like that? Are you five or seventy five? You sound like a little old man?”
Rolling his eyes he answered, “Mom, I have been around for five years. You learn a lot when you listen to people who don’t know you are paying attention.”
Little shit. “Gabriel Derek Holland. You do not eaves drop. You know that.”
“I can’t help if people talk and I can hear them.” He did have a point.
“I wish you weren’t so smart.” I ruffled his hair and said, “You need to start cleaning up and make your bed.” Gabe grumbled but started putting his crayons back in the box.
After packing his bag I went back to my room to see what kind of mess my friends had created. Laying on my bed was a pair of white shorts with an off the shoulder sheer black shirt with subtle silver sparkles and a grey camisole. I was surprised. The outfit was cute and made me look like a mom and not a hooker. I was expecting more hooker, less mom.
Lydia handed my my suitcase. “You’re all packed. Now get changed. Leave your hair down and go simple with your makeup.”
Quirking one eyebrow I bounced my eyes between my friends. “What are y’all up to?”
“Nothing. Get ready. The car will be here soon.” Leigha shoved me into the bathroom.
“Car’s here, mommy.” Gage yelled from the living room.
“Okay, I’m coming buddy.” Grabbing our suitcases I walked into the living room. “Ready?”
Gabe smiled, looking a little better than he did earlier. “Yeah. Bye Aunt Le. Bye Aunt Lydia.” Gabe hugged both woman before opening the front door.
“See you two tomorrow,” I sulked.
Leigha smacked my butt. “Go have fun and get crazy. It’s football, baby!”
Twirling my hand around sarcasticly, I muttered, “Woohoo.”
There was an older, pudgy man waiting at the car. “Good afternoon, Ms. Holland, Mr. Holland. My name is Pat, I will be your driver today.” He took our bags and opened the door. “Mr. Tucker requested a booster seat, will that be okay with you ma’am?
He did put some thought into this. “Yes, thank you.” Sliding into the back seat I helped get Gabe buckled up then clicked myself in.
Once our bags were stowed, Pat took his spot in the drivers seat. Handing me two bags he said, “These are for you Ms. Holland.”
Taking the bags I smiled. “Oh. Um, okay. Thanks.” Looking at the bags I saw Gabe’s name written on one and my name on the other. I sat Gabe’s bag in his lap. “You go first.”
Ripping the tissue paper off the top he pulled out a grey and black jersey. “Look mom! He didn’t forget!” He was so excited. Holding it up Gabe said, “He’s number seven, mommy.” He turned the jersey around so I could see the number on the back. It wasn’t the number that surprised me, it was what was over the number that had me smiling.
Tucker’s Boy
Something so simple. “What does it say mommy?”
“Tucker’s Boy.” I pointed to his signature on the side of the sleeve. “Look he signed it for you, also.”
“Wow! That is so cool! Now everyone will know Gage is my friend.” Gabe looked estatic. Even when he was playing the guitar he didn’t look this happy. Turning his glowing face to me, he asked, “What did you get, mommy?”
Turning my attention to my bag I saw a card sticking out of the top. I read it out loud to Gabe.
Annie & Gabe,
Sorry the jersey’s were late. They took longer than I expected. Wear them and enjoy them.
Pat will be taking you to an early dinner before the game. It has all been paid for so go crazy. Pat also has your tickets for the game. Hope you like the seats. Gabe, yell loud so I can hear you. I will see you later, buddy.
Love, Gage
“I knew he wouldn’t forget. I really, really like him mommy.”
This could end bad. I didn’t want Gabe getting too attached then Gage breaking his heart. But, I didn’t want to tell Gabe he couldn’t be friends with Gage, either, Gage is the first guy besides Jase that he has really clung to.
“Are you going to see what Gage got you, mommy?” Shaking my head, I sat the card beside me. I removed the tissue paper and found a Saints jersey of my own. Pulling it out I really hoped he hadn’t went through the trouble of putting something special on the back of mine. I didn’t want people assuming anything was between Gage and I. “What does your’s say?”