I make my way into the pizza parlor and tell the hostess my family is already inside. I have no idea where they’re sitting, but I don’t care. I’ll wander around the entire place if I have to. I head toward the fire truck, knowing Roxy likes to sit by it and stop dead in my tracks when I spot Autumn and the kids.
They’re sitting in the booth. There are drinks on the table, and the menu is gone, making me think Autumn has already ordered our food. But this isn’t what has me standing still in the middle of the room. Roxy is on Autumn’s lap, and Reggie has pressed himself right up tight to Autumn’s side. The three of them are coloring and seem to be in a deep conversation about where each color should go. I don’t know what part of the scene in front of me is making my heart twist in knots the most. Is it the sight of my daughter being attached to Autumn, Autumn caring for my children, or the look of happiness on my son’s face? Ten minutes ago, when he was on the phone with his mother, he was sad. I thought lunch was going to be an emotional time for him, that he’d be despondent. But from the looks of things, Autumn isn’t allowing any of that to happen.
I clear my throat as I approach the table. Three sets of eyes look up at the same time. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey, Dad,” Reggie says and then goes back to coloring.
“We ordered already, and I got you a soda.” Autumn motions to the lone drink on the other side of the table. “Everything okay?”
I nod as I slide into the booth, feeling lonely because everyone I want to be with is across from me. “We can chat about it later.”
“Only if you want,” she tells me. I like that she’s giving me an option and not demanding she be in the know. Honestly, I like that Autumn hasn’t pestered me with questions about Elena or about opening up regarding my failed marriage.
“Dad,” Reggie says, grabbing my attention. “Miss Autumn drew this, and then we started coloring it.” He slides the placemat over toward me, and I lean in to take a better look. There’s a house with windows and a chimney, a field with flowers and grass with two children standing in it.
“You drew this?”
She nods and adjusts Roxy on her lap. “My mom is an artist, so I know a few tricks.”
“This is pretty awesome.”
“Thanks, but the kids did all the work. I just gave them the outline. Reggie decided on what colors the house should be while Roxy worked on the flowers.”
“I love it.” I give it back to Reggie and place my hand on his, giving it a firm squeeze.
When our pizzas arrive, I suggest Roxy or Reggie come over and sit on my side. Neither of my children budges. I’m not sure if I should feel bad because they don’t want to sit with me or happy because they like the woman I like. I feel like I’m losing no matter what, though. I like Autumn and want to spend time with her, without my kids, but something tells me unless I’m sneaking around or Reggie is in school and Roxy is with Miss Meghan, I’m not going to get much alone time with Autumn.
Autumn doesn’t encourage either of them to move. She simply adjusts the way she’s sitting so Roxy can stay on her lap while they both eat. Autumn even beats me to cutting Roxy’s pizza and offers to do the same for Reggie.
“What, no way,” he says. “I can eat it with my fingers.” To prove his point, he picks up his cheese pizza, tries to fold the thick crust in half, and takes a bite. The only problem is, the pizza’s hot and very cheesy, which means he’s making some horrible noises with his mouth while cheese and sauce ooze everywhere.
“Reg.” I reach for the pizza just as Autumn places a napkin under his chin. Roxy isn’t helping matters by giggling. “Come on, dude.” I take the slice out of his hand and manage to get the cheese pulled apart. “Manners,” I remind him as Autumn is rolling the sauce and cheese-soaked napkin into a ball.
“Let’s either wait until the pizza cools down, or I can cut you a smaller slice,” Autumn says. While her voice is kind, I fully expect Reggie to start sulking. But he surprises me and says a smaller slice would be fine. Autumn places another piece onto a clean plate, slices it down the middle, and gives it to my son, only for him to repeat the same thing he did before. This time, successfully.
Once everyone is settled and the pizza mishap has been taken care of, we start eating, and I realize quickly, I’m watching a relationship develop between the woman I like and my children. Seeing this unfold in front of my eyes is heartwarming.
“You eat your pizza like you’ve been to New York City,” she says to Reggie.
“I went a couple of times with my Dad, but I don’t remember if I had pizza there. Have you had pizza there?”
Autumn nods. “But I like thick pizza like this.” She holds hers up. “And New York has thin pizza.”
Roxy chimes in with, “That’s funny.”
“Where did you live before you came here?” Reggie asks Autumn.
“Well, I was born in Texas, went to college in Chicago, and then I lived in North Dakota for a little bit until I moved here.”
“Do you like being on TV?” he asks.
“Miss Au-um is boofiful on TV,” Roxy says. Autumn gives Roxy a happy squeeze, and then Roxy does the unthinkable. She places both her greasy hands onto Autumn’s face and brushes her nose back and forth over Autumn’s. If Autumn cares, she doesn’t show it and doesn’t make a big deal about having greasy toddler hand residue on her cheeks. When Roxy pulls away from Autumn, they stare at each other, making me wonder what they’re both thinking and making me wish I was on that side of the table too.
“I do like it. It’s fun. And I love the weather.”
“It’s a bit ironic that you do the weather, and your name is Autumn,” I blurt out, only to realize my statement is very random.
The three of them laugh.
Great, they’re already teaming up against me.
“Complete happenstance,” Autumn says. “My father wanted me to be a lawyer, and my mom wanted me to go to art school. I didn’t decide I wanted to do the weather until after I got to college.
“Daddy, it be funny if yous name is football.” Roxy giggles.
I reach across the table to tickle her. My hand brushes against Autumn and is instantly ablaze with heat and electricity. Our eyes meet, and I can only hope she’s thinking the same thing I am. We need some alone time to explore what is building between us.
Twenty-One
Autumn
As soon as I get back to my apartment, I go right to the bathroom and start filling my tub. I need a bath—a nice long soak to ease my muscles. I never knew holding a toddler on my lap for a couple of hours would put so much strain on my back. I didn’t mind holding Roxy though, or sitting next to Reggie. This afternoon had to be one of my best afternoons in a while. Julius’s children are a delight, and I’ve grown especially fond of Roxy.
As soon as there’s enough water, I strip out of my clothes and climb in—feet only. The water is hot, and I need time to adjust. I move the faucet dial a bit to bring in some cold, swishing it around with my foot until the temperature is tolerable. I finally sit down and sigh. I wish I could stretch out, but my tub is a standard size, and my legs are a little too long to really allow for any comfort. After I pull my knees up a smidge, I’m able to relax more. Water sloshes at the nape of my neck. If I’m not careful, I’ll spill over the edge. With my foot, I push the dial into the off position and then close my eyes.