I’d managed to break the habit completely in a few weeks now that I didn’t have to keep myself busy while a child got ready for school. Hence, my Friday night was full of OxiClean and Tide while Paul watched the Spurs’ game on TV.
Around eight o’clock, I cocked my ear to the side—I was reading chapters of My Name Is Asher Lev between folding loads—and thought I heard my cell phone ringing. I was right, and hurried into the kitchen to dig my phone out of my purse, worried I wouldn’t get to it before the caller hung up or it went to voice mail. I didn’t recognize the number.
I pushed the talk button and lifted the phone to my ear in one motion. “This is Daisy.”
“Hi, Daisy. It’s Paige.”
It took me a few beats to remember who Paige was. “Oh, hi, Paige. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay,” she said. “My child care plans for Saturday fell through. I was wondering if your offer is still open . . .”
“Of course it is.” I said it so fast that it wasn’t until the words were out that I realized I’d said yes. In the same instant, I knew I was probably her last resort and wanted to make sure she didn’t know how surprised I was at my own quick response. “Bring the boys over—it will be fun.” The totally weird part was that it did sound fun. Must be the impending grandmother status opening up new horizons. I could use the practice.
I heard her let out a breath and felt even better about saying yes. How many times had I felt ready to explode with frustration when I honestly had no one to turn to for help?
“Thank you so much,” she said. “The office closes early on Saturdays, so I should be back no later than one thirty or two. You should have most of your day to yourself.”
I laughed at how surprised she seemed that I was willing to help. “Don’t worry about it, Paige. I’ve done the single mom thing. I remember what it was like.”
“Thank you. I owe you one big-time.”
We hung up and I consulted my planner. Shoot. Stormy and I were supposed to go shopping and then to lunch. This was the first weekend she’d come home, and I’d offered to watch my friend’s kids. Impressive mothering. I considered my options. I could call Paige back with my regrets, but I already suspected I was the bottom of the barrel for her. She’d probably have to call into work if I didn’t help her out. After a few more stressful minutes, I decided to ask Stormy what she thought. It was a risk because she might think I was blowing her off, but I texted her to call me ASAP.
A minute later, as I was pulling the last load out of the dryer, my phone rang. It was Stormy.
“Hi, sweetie,” I said when I answered it. I could hear music and teenage laughter in the background. “How’s the party?”
“Rockin’,” Stormy said simply. “What’s up?”
I explained the situation, ending with “It’s not a big deal either way. I can cancel with her, but I just wanted to ask what you thought.”
“Sure, totally do it. We can do shopping and stuff after they’re gone. And it will be good training for me to be the best aunt ever!”
I laughed, loving how naturally we were getting along. And I didn’t have to cancel with Paige. Nice.
“Can I stay at Tressa’s until one, though?”
“Sure,” I said without hesitation. Midnight was her typical curfew, but if she was willing to give up her Saturday, I could give her an extra hour.
“Awesome. Is there anything else?”
“Nope. Have a good time.”
“’Kay, bye.”
“Bye,” I said, feeling satisfied with the way things had turned out.
I told Paul about it as we got ready for bed. He didn’t say anything, but I sensed something was wrong. “Are you upset that I said I’d do it?” I asked.
“Well, it would have been nice if you’d asked me.”
I remembered that I’d already ditched out on our Huntington Beach plans for Stormy; now I was letting Paige’s kids take my time as well. “I’m sorry,” I said for something to
Around eight o’clock, I cocked my ear to the side—I was reading chapters of My Name Is Asher Lev between folding loads—and thought I heard my cell phone ringing. I was right, and hurried into the kitchen to dig my phone out of my purse, worried I wouldn’t get to it before the caller hung up or it went to voice mail. I didn’t recognize the number.
I pushed the talk button and lifted the phone to my ear in one motion. “This is Daisy.”
“Hi, Daisy. It’s Paige.”
It took me a few beats to remember who Paige was. “Oh, hi, Paige. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay,” she said. “My child care plans for Saturday fell through. I was wondering if your offer is still open . . .”
“Of course it is.” I said it so fast that it wasn’t until the words were out that I realized I’d said yes. In the same instant, I knew I was probably her last resort and wanted to make sure she didn’t know how surprised I was at my own quick response. “Bring the boys over—it will be fun.” The totally weird part was that it did sound fun. Must be the impending grandmother status opening up new horizons. I could use the practice.
I heard her let out a breath and felt even better about saying yes. How many times had I felt ready to explode with frustration when I honestly had no one to turn to for help?
“Thank you so much,” she said. “The office closes early on Saturdays, so I should be back no later than one thirty or two. You should have most of your day to yourself.”
I laughed at how surprised she seemed that I was willing to help. “Don’t worry about it, Paige. I’ve done the single mom thing. I remember what it was like.”
“Thank you. I owe you one big-time.”
We hung up and I consulted my planner. Shoot. Stormy and I were supposed to go shopping and then to lunch. This was the first weekend she’d come home, and I’d offered to watch my friend’s kids. Impressive mothering. I considered my options. I could call Paige back with my regrets, but I already suspected I was the bottom of the barrel for her. She’d probably have to call into work if I didn’t help her out. After a few more stressful minutes, I decided to ask Stormy what she thought. It was a risk because she might think I was blowing her off, but I texted her to call me ASAP.
A minute later, as I was pulling the last load out of the dryer, my phone rang. It was Stormy.
“Hi, sweetie,” I said when I answered it. I could hear music and teenage laughter in the background. “How’s the party?”
“Rockin’,” Stormy said simply. “What’s up?”
I explained the situation, ending with “It’s not a big deal either way. I can cancel with her, but I just wanted to ask what you thought.”
“Sure, totally do it. We can do shopping and stuff after they’re gone. And it will be good training for me to be the best aunt ever!”
I laughed, loving how naturally we were getting along. And I didn’t have to cancel with Paige. Nice.
“Can I stay at Tressa’s until one, though?”
“Sure,” I said without hesitation. Midnight was her typical curfew, but if she was willing to give up her Saturday, I could give her an extra hour.
“Awesome. Is there anything else?”
“Nope. Have a good time.”
“’Kay, bye.”
“Bye,” I said, feeling satisfied with the way things had turned out.
I told Paul about it as we got ready for bed. He didn’t say anything, but I sensed something was wrong. “Are you upset that I said I’d do it?” I asked.
“Well, it would have been nice if you’d asked me.”
I remembered that I’d already ditched out on our Huntington Beach plans for Stormy; now I was letting Paige’s kids take my time as well. “I’m sorry,” I said for something to
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