sixteen: Miss me?

Levi's first day at the Montessori program was a sticky, humid Tuesday. I carried him from the parking lot, looking for which door was the entrance. A man in a goatee finally pointed the way.

Turned out, he was the office manager and he walked me through checking Levi in to class.

Levi scampered off without even waving bye to me. I could see his point, though. A mess of roly-poly 2 year-olds in a big room full of activities? Rock on.

Jeb called as I was peering through the window in the hallway. We were getting along again, cordially.

"How is it?"

"Dude. It's a toddler DisneyWorld. They have slides and bridges in the room."

"Is he having fun?"

"Are you kidding? He's hysterical. All new toys to play with. Oh...he just found some yarn balls. Yeah, he's sticking them up his shirt."

"Send me a picture?"

I hung up and sent a few. Then I headed down to the office to give them the paperwork. The goatee'd guy smiled and waved me into his office.

"I'm Paul Kimber. You're Levi's foster mother?"

"Alice St. Georges. Temporary guardian while Levi's brother adopts him."

"Jeb Scott, right? I met him last Saturday at the open house with Levi."

Paul glanced at my left hand and then back at my face. I nodded back at him like I didn't know what he was wondering and then handed off the paperwork. He took his time and checked each page from the Court custody papers to Levi's immunization record. "It looks like everything is in order."

"Great," I put my purse over my shoulder and then stopped. "Out of curiosity, what is it like to teach at a Montessori program vs. a traditional public one?"

"Are you a teacher?"

"I just got certified to teach Art."

"Really?" Paul's smile widened into dimples. "Because we need an art leader for the summer programs. Ours just went on Maternity Leave early and we're scrambling."

"Well," I grinned back at him. "Tell me more."

I started work the following Friday after passing the drug screening and background check. It was a part-time gig but at 25 hours a week, it was a perfect fit for my responsibilities with Levi.

Plus Jeb got a 10% discount on tuition.

"Your first day! We need to celebrate," Jeb called me from the airport as he waited to board. "Let's go out tonight. Gayle said she could watch Levi."

"It's fine," I told him. "Gayle's already got Levi. I'm at Paige's place."

"Oh. Then what about tomorrow? Come on, I owe you."

"Jeb," I sighed, grossed out by the idea of sharing a meal with him and Kyra.

"Right, it's your day off..."

"No, I was just thinking I don't want to intrude..."

"Kyra's, uh, busy this weekend."

"Really?" Way to sound desperate.

"But I'm not going to push..."

"Yes." Wait? What? Did I just say that? I did. Oh, God, I did.

"What?"

"Yeah, sure. What about brunch? There's a kid-friendly place on Abbott Street."

"I know it. See you there."

I tried not to dress up the next morning. I tried to just pretend to be suave.

I found myself shaking as I tweezed.

"You're primping," Paige accused.

"I know. I can't help myself."

"You really like this guy?"

"No. Yes. Yeah, maybe. He's seeing someone."

"Your husband is dating someone else?"

"That sounds bad."

"That sounds crazy," she corrected. "Stop with the eyebrows, you're moving into Lil' Kim territory."

I stepped away from the tweezers and pulled my sundress off the hanger.

"You're wearing a front-open bra, Alice. For brunch? Is he gonna feel you up over quiche?"

"Shut up and help," I stepped in and pulled it over my shoulders. It was construction-sign yellow.

"You and this guy and Starbucks are entire Dr. Phil special. You know that, right?"

"Zipper, Paige."

She pulled it up for me and then did the top button.

"How do I look?"

She put her hands on her hips and inspected me. "Like a meringue. Good enough to eat."

I hugged her.

The restaurant was buzzing when I arrived. I gave Jeb's name and they led me to a table in the back, where they had a play area for kids. Jeb and Jay were sitting with the boys. The baby was in a sling on Queenie's chest. OK, so this was a family thing.

"Hey!" I plastered a smile on my face and waved.

"There you are!" Jeb stood as I approached. I met his eyes and tried not pant. He looked amazing in khakis and a linen shirt.

"Congratulations on the job!" Queenie kissed my cheek.

"Thanks but it's just temporary," I took my seat. "Like everything else, I guess."

The three of them all gave me a funny look.

Right, that did sound a little Eyore. "Sorry. Can I try that again? My first paid teaching gig! Woo hoo!"

"There you go, sister."

I looked at the little foot sticking out of the sling and cocked my head. "Queenie, is the baby wearing a purple lace bootie?"

Jay started waving his hands like he was landing a plane.

"What?" I asked him.

"He's trying to warn you not to bring it up," Queenie rolled her eyes. "I may have unresolved issues. And like 100 girly outfits that I already had taken the tags off of and washed."

"That's on Jay for doing his own sonograms and getting it wrong."

"RIGHT?!?!"

"So have you picked a name?"

Jay started waving his hands again.

"Currently, this little beauty is Baby Boy. He may stay that way if Jay doesn't chill."

"Wade is a good name," he argued.

"Wade is Deadpool's name. And before you say it again, I know that Logan is Wolverine's name. Marvel doesn't get to name my kid!! I will decide when I decide, what I decide."

"Trip's legal name is Jacob Scott, the third," Jeb explained. "Dad had just passed when he was born, so...anyway, it's Queenie's turn."

My eye's met Jeb's and my heart broke a little to realize that he'd lost both his fathers in the same year. That wasn't fair. But then again, little is.

"Oh. My. God. You're, like, stalking me, right? To get your daddy's lawyers all up in my grill even further??"

We all turned. It was Finn, standing with a whole new girl. His expression was outraged.

"Are you drunk? We were here first," I cocked my head.

"You think I'm falling for that? You just won't let up, will you? I gave you everything and this is how you treat me!!"

"Sweetie, do you need me to call someone?" Queenie asked softly. I remembered that she had an entire police department of cops who could come running and for a moment I really, really wanted her to make the call. And bring tasers. Lots of them.

But the girl hanging off Finn's arm started tugging and whispering in his ear. He nodded. "This is Luster. Her dad owns the Classic 6 Cinemas at the County Mall. You're not the only one with connections, bitch."

"Uh huh," I looked at Luster and nodded politely.

"You better fix things with your father right this time," Finn warned me. "And stop following me. I mean it. You lost your chance."

He marched off with Luster, leaving me boggled. "Did that just happen?"

"He's not right. How did you not notice when you were dating him?"

"I think it's been well established that I wasn't paying close attention."

"Any attention," Jay muttered.

"To be fair," Queenie murmured, "he's fine looking."

I nodded in agreement, then realized Jeb was staring at me hotly. "What?"

"I think you need a restraining order."

"For Finn?"

"All of them," he growled, grabbing his water and taking a long swallow.

I shrugged.

The brunch was delicious. They brought a pitcher of sweet tea that had a hint of peach. The boys made a ridiculous mess in side by side booster chairs. Queenie, who was officially on maternity leave for another week, took five or six calls from work while the rest of us chatted.

As we got up to leave, I picked up Levi while Jeb and Jay gathered up all the boys' things and plopped them in the diaper bags. Queenie balanced the baby in the sling and Trip on her hip. Finally, we all made our way out to the parking lot. Jay and Queenie said their goodbyes at their SUV and I carried Levi to Jeb's truck.

"Where's Soylent?" He and Rafe had named my car after cannibalistic food cubes. I couldn't argue.

"Paige lives like 5 blocks from here," I explained.

"I'll give you a ride back."

"I got to walk off that meal, anyway," I smiled and shook my head. "Thanks again, though. It was really nice."

I turned away and heard him calling me back. "What's up?"

"You...you don't have to stay at Paige's."

"What?'

"Just, uh, stay home. If you want to, I mean. This is crazy. You're doing so much for me..."

"You've done so much for me," I reminded him. "But I don't want to be a third wheel, Jeb. It's awkward. This is fine."

"You won't be," Jeb grimaced and pulled his ear out of Levi's grasp. "I guarantee it. And you won't have to babysit either. Just...come home."

"Jeb..." I sighed.

"Please."

Giving in, I nodded. "I have plans with Paige for tonight but I'll come back to the cabin in the morning."

"Great," he flashed a soft smile.

"Great," I agreed.

Then Levi farted, loudly, and we burst out laughing.

The next morning, I wheeled my suitcase down the driveway. I was slightly hungover from the night before. The deck in front of the front door was slatted and the wheels made a rumbling noise which made my eyes cross. I needed Advil.

"Hey," Jeb stepped out and took my bag. "You sick?"

"Just from Mint Juleps. Paige dragged me to a Belmont Stakes party last night. We wore ridiculous hats."

"Ah." He dropped my stuff in my room and headed to the kitchen. "Ice water and Advil?"

"Please," I sat at the table. Levi was on his bouncy. "How's construction?"

"Demolition is finally complete. I think we've finally got the opening how Marco wants it."

"What now?"

"It will take a while to clear the debris. Marco is flying back Wednesday to confirm the plans and then we finish the horizontal and start laying foundation."

"So, are you going to see Kyra today?"

"What? No. She's out of town."

"Ah."

"Actually..."

"Yeah?"

Jeb stared at me for a long moment. I felt the fizzy start in my arms and spread.

"Jeb?"

"Uh, nothing," he turned away. Then he turned back. "Actually, are you free next Saturday?"

"Free?"

"I'm going to drive Levi out to see his grandmother. While they're visiting, I thought I'd hang out. There's a lot to see in Chattanooga."

"Long day," I mused.

"Right, of course," he nodded. But Jeb kept his eyes on me and I could feel it. "You're gonna say yes, anyway, though. Right?"

I blushed. "Yeah. Probably."

"Excellent."

I nodded in agreement while my heart zoomed around in my chest. "Excellent," I echoed.