A second chance at true love

Chapter 11 – No interest

.Meredith.

“Oh yeah, Snacks, wait.” I put my big bag on the floor and bend over. “Sorry, I have to, for the kids,” I reply to him.

“No problem.” He replies and his voice makes my bowels burn.

Come on Meredith, don’t be so ridiculous. You’re an adult.

“Megan, this is for you.” I hand her the red box.

“This one’s for you, Madison.” I hand her the purple box. I also take out the yellow box and give it to Mallory. She rolls her eyes, but when I raise my eyebrow, she immediately stops.

“I’ll give this to Marley when she’s done.” Answers she and I nod. I take out the light green box for her and when everyone has their box I get up again and the children all go to do their thing.

“You come well prepared.” He notes.

I laugh a little awkwardly. “A busy schedule and they’ve all been working out. I want to prevent them from stuffing themselves with all kinds of bad things. So I have a box of fruits and vegetables for everyone and there is also a banana and blueberry muffin in it. I don’t know what their father does when he has them, but I think this is important.” I tell him.

He starts laughing. Wow.

His whole face relaxes as he laughs.

“Sorry, that probably wasn’t why you talked to me and I’m rambling.”

He shakes his head. “No problem, but I can see why Sofia likes to be with you all.” He replies.

The lines of worry on his face return.

“She’s a fantastic girl,” I tell him.

He nods.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like and I want you to know that I definitely don’t want to impose or-”

He puts his hand on my arm and I stop talking. Looking at his hand.

“Meredith, will you look at me, please.” His voice is softer.

I look up to him. He’s a little bigger than I am.

“It’s okay. Sofia told me about you.” He lets go of my arm. “She says you treat her normally, whatever that may be, but she likes it and I can’t thank you enough for that. That she has someone to share her concerns with, I can only be happy about that.” he puts his hands in his pockets.

“I don’t know if I can do anything other than normal,” I answer him and shrug. “All I know is that Sofia sometimes asks if she can come with us and she knows she's always welcome. I can’t imagine what it’s like without a mother. I’ve always had mine and I still lean on her from time to time.” I tell him honestly. “So if I can be supportive of Sofia, even just a little bit, I’ll do it.”

“It means a lot to me, so thank you again.” He nods.

We look out over the football field together.

“I know what the other moms are saying. I know they try to push, using Sofia or Donato. The many invitations to dinner parties, but also the fake smile and the hand on my arm, the bashing eyelashes and then saying ‘if Sofia needs a female person to talk to’.” He rolls his eyes. “It makes me nauseous.” He sighs. “And I’m not interested.” He replies.

Clear. No interest. Meredith. Listen to what he says. He’s not interested.

“All in good time,” I answer him. No idea what else to say.

He nods. “Sorry Meredith, but is it weird if I want to join you next week?” he asks.

“What, um no. It’s your daughter.” I look in the direction where the whistle is coming from. The sign that the training is finished. “So if your daughter is there, her father can always come with her, if you ask me,” I add.

He nods. “I think I need to discuss it with Sofia. I don’t want to just break into your girl's outing.” He replies. He scratches his head. He’s obviously insecure about something and I don’t understand why, because the man with the lovely wild wavy hair, his fascinating blue-gray eyes, the stubble of a beard, and a smile to melt away at, has absolutely nothing to be insecure about.

“Hey!”

I’m taken out of my stare fest by his son Gino. “Hey, Mrs. DeKeyser.” He greets.

“Hey Gino, I’m just Meredith, remember,” I answer. He starts laughing and grabs the towel Lucio is holding out for him.

“I’ll be right back.” The boy runs towards the changing rooms.

“I got your number from Sofia, I’ll discuss it with her and is it okay for me to send you a message if I’m going with you?” he asks.

I nod. “That’s all right, I just want to warn you.” I start and look around to make sure Sofia isn’t around. I don’t know where he left her.

“I understood from my daughter that we are also going to buy bras. I don’t know what you share with Sofia and neither is my business.” I shake my head “But Melissa told me she would never talk to her father about that kind of thing. I don’t know if Sofia does... but buy your first bra. I remember that moment myself, it feels so uncomfortable and you’re embarrassed because you have no idea what you’re doing. I don’t know if she wants you there. But I thought...” I shrug and put my hand on his arm. “Then at least you know what we’re going to do, suppose she panics and says no to your request.”

His mouth opens but closes again. He wants to say something but we don’t get the chance anymore. My kids come running and Marley has her box open and takes a bite of the banana. Right before she leans against me.

“Mom, I’m tired.” She sighs.

“Yeah girls, we’re going,” I answer.

Mallory throws her box into my bag and the other children except Marley follow her example. Marley is only now starting to eat her snacks. I pick up the bag and turn to Lucio again.

“I will hear from you Lucio, and have a nice day!” I shout.

He doesn’t say anything. He nods and looks at me. The whole way to the car I feel his fascinating eyes burning on me. Eyes you can lose yourself in.

When I drive the car out of the parking lot I see that he is still in the same place and his eyes land directly on mine. Meredith focus. You made a deal with yourself. Choosing your own happiness. Don’t allow a man into your life anymore.

As always, the children are not silent for a second. That gives me the chance to get my thoughts back in order. Even though, if I would be interested... He was clear. He has no interest.

“Everyone’s stuff at the washing machine please,” I call when we get home and the kids all run out of the car with their bags. I gave Mallory the key and when I’m inside I clean up all the children’s shoes before I take off my own. Maybe I’ll have to talk to them again, that when they take off their shoes, they shouldn’t put them right in front of the door.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

I look at the doorway and see Madison. “Cleaning up the shoes, otherwise someone will fall.”

She walks up to me and helps me clean up the shoes. She puts them down neatly and then she also straightens the rug over the bench and puts the flowers a little further back on the table next to the mirror. Sometimes I wonder if she would realize that she is already so neat. So tidy. Everything has a place with her. Her room, Megan's and Mallory’s room is always tidy. I never found a drinking glass there that should have been downstairs. Or a plate with crumbs. I don’t even find a stray sock on the floor.

“What are we eating tonight?” asks Megan as she comes to stand with me. She grabs a carrot from the counter and puts it in her mouth.

“Carrots.” I laugh.

“Can I help?” chewing on the carrot, she washes her hands.

“If you want to, sweetie, you can peel the rest of the carrots.” I show her how I use the special knife to remove a thin skin from the carrot. “After that, they can be cut into pieces, but first make sure they all lose their skin.”

Together we work on the meal and in the meantime she tells more about her day and about the week that will come at school. Every now and then Mallory comes to watch and talk about the ballet and her school week. These are the weekends I love the most, all my kids with me. We help each other in the kitchen and my daughters talk to me like I’m part of their friends at school or sports. Melissa arrives home just before dinner and Miles follows not much later.

Miles has already showered at the club, he quickly washes his hands and on the way he ruffles through Madison’s hair as usual, he tries it with Megan who can always avoid him and when he tries with Marley she gets up, as always ready to fight with him. Melissa rolls her eyes as usual and I do my best not to laugh at the routine we’ve found together.

“Come on Miles,” I hold out my hand to him, which he grips tightly as he sits at the table.