We’re adults, but Julius doesn’t act like one. He’s a giant man child with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Grand Canyon, all because he thinks I’m using Peyton. I find him sad, honestly. Peyton says he’s going through a few things with his wife but won’t elaborate, which I’m okay with. The last thing I want is to know more about him. And to be honest, I don’t want to spend the day with him. I have a feeling it’s going to be a nightmare of a time, and I’ll likely end up crying through most of it. Maybe I should’ve taken him up on his offer and accepted the check he wanted to give me. Nope, I paid for him, and I plan to use him to my fullest pleasure. He’s going to rue the day he decided to talk shit about me.
When I come around the bend, my apartment complex is within sight. Usually, I go home but the morning is so lovely I decide to spend some time at the park. There was a time in my life when I thought I wanted to be a nanny. I love children and want my own someday, but loved the thought of taking care of babies. I was also sixteen at the time and thought I’d be an au pair in France or find a wealthy family in California that would take me on their vacations to Bali with them. I head toward the playground and sit down on the first empty bench I can find. I’m surrounded by strollers, moms, dads, and nannies talking to each other or chasing a toddler around. The sight brings a smile to my face. I hate that my clock is ticking and I have no one.
For the longest time, I thought Camden and I would get married and start a family, but he’s out living his best life, chasing storms, and doing what he loves. I love my job too, but I’d give it up to be a full-time mother in a heartbeat. For this to happen, I have to start dating or go to a sperm bank. Neither idea seems ideal. Dating scares me. I see the tweets I get from random men and the stares when I’m out alone. The double-takes are what get me. Believe me, I’m not looking at men on the street wondering if they’re the next man in my life. And the idea of going to a clinic to comb through a million profiles to find the right combination of eye, hair, height, and intelligence is such a turn-off. It’s like dating, but without any commitment from the other party.
After watching the action in front of me for a few minutes, I decide to close my eyes and tilt my head back to enjoy the sun. It’s in the mid-fifties. Not too warm, but not cold enough where you have to wear a parka either. I know many will disagree with me, but I find this weather perfect.
I listen to the chatter around me. Someone is talking about going out to dinner and mentions a place I haven’t heard of. As tempted as I am to open my eyes and pull my phone out to put the name of the restaurant in my notes for reference later, I don’t. If I forget, there are hundreds of other places I can try. Another voice piques my interest. It’s a male, and if I had to guess, he’s on the phone. I hear bits and pieces of his conversation and quickly deduce that someone in his life has had an affair. I tune him out, not wanting to feel like I’m a creeper and eavesdropping, even though he’s talking about personal things in a park where anyone can hear him.
I settle deeper onto the bench and relax, knowing that I could easily fall asleep right now, except something is touching my leg. I open my eyes and sit up, startling the little girl next to me. “Hi,” I say to her.
“Yous the lady from TV.”
“I am. My name is Autumn.” I hold my hand out for her, but she jumps at what I suspect is her name being frantically yelled. I glance around the play area, looking for her parent, only to find Julius storming toward us.
“Roxanne Cunningham, you know better than to run off.”
“Is that you?”
She nods but doesn’t seem fearful of her father. I would be, but he probably likes her.
“Daddy, wook.” She points to me while staring at her looming father.
Julius and I make eye contact. I give him a soft smile and wave. “She yours?” It’s a stupid question, but I have nothing else to say to the man. Much to my surprise, his daughter climbs onto the bench and sits next to me. Her little legs are bouncing up and down with excitement.
“Roxy, you shouldn’t bother people,” Julius says. “Come on, let’s go.”
She shakes her head and hides her hands under her legs. “I stay.”
“She’s not bothering me,” I tell him, meaning every bit of it. I glance down at her and match her toothy grin with one of my own. “Hi, Roxy, it’s nice to meet you.”
“I see you on the TV.”
“Well, I’m happy that you watch my weather reports. Now tell me, Roxy, do you like the rain or the sun?”
“The sun,” she says.
“Roxy, we should go.”
I turn my attention toward Julius and shake my head a bit. “Honestly, she’s not bothering me, Julius. I don’t mind talking to her.”
He nods but says nothing. He stays nearby, undoubtedly watching us like a hawk.
“How old are you?” I ask Roxy.
“Dis many.” She holds up three fingers. “How old is you?”
Wow, I didn’t expect her to come back with this question. I hold up both hands and say, “I am many more than this.”
“Yous old.” She laughs. If she weren’t so cute, I’d be insulted.
“Sorry,” Julius says. “She doesn’t have a filter, so she says whatever comes to mind.”
I wasn’t aware he was close enough to listen to us, but it makes sense. He probably doesn’t want me asking his daughter anything he would deem inappropriate. Not that I would.
Another child comes up to us. He looks to be around Roxy’s age. I’m about to ask if she knows him when she yells out his name.
“Henry, she is on TV.”
“You famous like her dad?” the little boy asks.
“No, I just tell you what the weather is going to be like.”
“I don’t like the weather,” he tells me. “It’s stupid. Sometimes it rains and then I can’t go to the park. This one time, it snowed, and I got to stay home with my mom, but she was mad.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Do you make the weather like my mom makes my lunch?” he asks. “Because you should make it rain cats and dogs.” Henry starts laughing and slaps his hand down on his leg.
“You’re a funny guy, Henry.”
“I know.”
So humble.
Henry decides to call the entire playground over by telling everyone that I can make it snow or rain. The kids find it fascinating, while the parents use the free time to their advantage and check their phones. Honestly, I don’t mind talking to them, but I hate disappointing them when they think I can change the weather.
The alarm on my phone goes off. I’m one of those people who sets reminders to do things, like eat lunch. I give myself an hour and a half to figure out what I’m going to do. Lately, I’ve made this my big meal during the day because the break between the evening news and night news is often too busy. I tell the kids that I have to go. Some scatter, but a few linger. Glancing around the park, I scan the space looking for Julius. He’s over by the fence that keeps people from going into the river. I look down at Roxy and hold my hand out to her.
“Come on, I’ll take you to your dad.” She takes my hand without reservation and follows me toward her dad.