I make oatmeal for Liv, bacon and toast for Two, and an egg sandwich with cream cheese for Rory. Preston declines my offer to make him breakfast.
“Can I drive the kids to school?”
He nods.
We aren’t really talking to each other, just what’s necessary to navigate through the situation. After warming up his coffee, he slips upstairs. I can hear the shower running. The kids are seated at the table, rattling off all that I’ve missed.
“Mommy, guess what?” Rory has cream cheese in the corner of his mouth. “I stayed on the green for the entire week so today I get to pick from the surprise box.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m going to pick the red car. That’s what Jeremiah picked last week.”
“Good job, honey.” I rummage through the cabinets, looking for snacks to put into their lunch boxes. Once we are finished downstairs, we head up to wash faces and teeth, and get dressed.
“I’ll see you guys later.” Preston stands in the hallway and the children run to him for a hug.
“Have a nice day,” I call from the bathroom sink.
He mumbles his thanks, locks the gate, and trots down the stairs.
My phone vibrates from the back pocket of my jeans. I wonder if I worried Gran. When I look at my phone, it’s a New York number.
“Kids, go sit in your room and quietly read a book. Rory, take Liv.” I close the bathroom door.
“Hello?”
“Felicia?”
“Yes.”
“Hi, it’s Ashley calling from SEM&M. Sorry to call so early. I know you have children so I figured it would be fine.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good news. You booked the Johnson & Johnson commercial we sent you on a few weeks ago.”
“Wow. Really?” I pump my fist. “That’s incredible.”
“Congratulations. They’re working on the shoot date, but it may be in a week or so. I’ll e-mail you all of the contract information. Is your fax still the same?”
“Yes.”
“Great. I’ll be in touch with more when I have it. We are really excited for you. Johnson & Johnson have been looking for a repeat mom to appear in a string of commercials. Fingers crossed that you’ll be their girl.”
“Yes, that would be wonderful. I’m over the moon. Wow. Please keep me posted.”
I hang up and scream. The kids come running to the bathroom.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
I open the door. “I just booked a commercial.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m going to be on television.”
“Can I do it with you?” Two’s eyes widen with hope.
“We’ll see, honey. Let’s get going to camp.”
I grab Liv and usher the other two down the steps. Johnson & Johnson. That has to be a national. Commercials pay well, but a national is like hitting the jackpot. Ching-ching. A repeat series, nothing but net. Maybe my luck is about to change. I lock the front door. Then on the bottom of my steps it strikes me. I went on the audition before I cut my hair. Man, I hope that isn’t a problem. I scratch my scalp, knowing that it could be.
* * *
I drive through the neighborhoods as they change from tightly woven to the sprawling suburbs. When I pull in front of the red schoolhouse, Erica is standing on the curb with McCoy on her hip, saying something to a tearful Coltrane.
“Felicia. Girl, where have you been?” She looks me over. “Wow, love the hair.”
First compliment I’ve received since I chopped it.
“Thanks.” We do a side hug, since we are both clutching kids.
“You just dropped off the face of the earth,” she comments.
“It’s been crazy.”
Two clings to my free hand as we stand at the sign-in table. When the teacher reaches for Two and Rory, they both grab a leg and refuse to go.
I lean in and whisper, “I will be back to pick you up.”
“You promise?” Rory looks at me through his lashes.
“Pinky promise, with cherries on top and a squirt of whipped cream.”
“Oooh, can we have that when we get home?”
“We’ll see.”
I kiss Two’s cheek and she grabs her teacher’s hand and starts skipping down the driveway.
Erica is rocking McCoy on her hip, her red hair catching the sun. “You in a rush? Want to stop for coffee?”
“That sounds good.”
I strap Liv into her car seat and follow Erica’s SUV to the bagel shop on the avenue. After feeding our meters, we cross the street. The place is crowded, but we manage to order. I have an egg and cheese biscuit, Erica a BLT. We sit near the window facing the busy street, adjacent to the big fish tank. The colorful fish, aquarium beta flowers, and sunken treasure pirate ship will keep our babies entertained.
“So, how have you been?” I ask.
“Honey, we haven’t heard from you since Preston pulled you out of the Dames fund-raiser. I haven’t seen you at school. You don’t text back. And when I called the house some older woman kept answering. What, are you outsourcing?”
I manage a dry chuckle and my brain clicks over how much I should share with Erica. There is a difference between Mommy friends and real friends. I haven’t known Erica long enough to move her up a category, even though she is my favorite mother at the school. When I open my mouth, I struggle.
“Things are fine. I just had to go Philly and help my grandmother with a few things.”
Erica tilts her chin. “Is it serious? Your husband marched in with the thunder, girl.”
I hesitate. “Yeah … she’s fine. Preston tends to overreact sometimes.”
“So why were you gone so long?” she pushes. I swirl my stirrer around in my latte, feeling emotions well up that I want to keep down low.
“Well, I hadn’t been home for an extended period of time since college. It was a nice break.”
Erica looks me over, than turns away to feed McCoy a crust from her plate. “You were fine without the kids?”
“Preston’s godmother stayed with them.”
“That’s nice, I guess.”
I take a bite from my sandwich. The Havarti cheese is gooey and warm, just the way I like it. I feel like Erica isn’t buying my story. I’m scared to say more, so I eat.
Erica sips her coffee. “Well, I’m glad you’re back. I’ve been thinking about a playdate at the Turtleback Zoo. That playground should keep the kids occupied.”
“The weather is perfect for it. Count me in.” I reply and then steer the conversation toward her. I listen to her qualms with her mother and Warren’s traveling schedule, thinking that I would trade my problems for hers in a shake of a lamb’s tail. Liv starts fussing, so I pull her onto my lap. Three teenage boys enter the shop talking loud and being rowdy. Liv watches their every move.
“I went to a meditation class in Philly. It was the best experience ever. I’ll have to find one locally.”
“There’s a class on Friday mornings at the center where I practice yoga. I’ll e-mail you the link. I hear the class is life-changing, but I’m always on with clients Friday mornings. It’s the day everyone wants an update on their campaign,” she says, referring to her business, which reminds me.
“I almost forgot to tell you, I just booked a commercial.”
“Really?”
“Johnson & Johnson baby powder. I’m pretty sure it’s national.”
She spreads her lips into a smile. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” I dab my mouth. “It’s been a long time coming.”
“Did you get anything in the mail from the Dames?”
“I literally got back this morning.”
“Oh. Monroe is so secretive about the vote. She notifies everyone through the mail. As soon as she realized that we were friends, she’s been asking about you every chance she gets.”
“Really?”
“I hope things go your way.”
“Well, it’s done now.”
“It’ll be fine. I’m sure.” Erica plugs McCoy with his pacifier.
I check the clock. “I better go.”
“Me too, but before I forget, Warren won an All-Star music award. So we’re having a party. You and your hubby must come.”
If Preston and I make it that far. I smile and tell her, “We’d love to.”