I lay my cell phone on the coffee table while Alma’s bugged-out eyes stare at me for information. “I am flying to Dallas December 19-20th.” I can’t form any other words.
“Let me fetch my calendar. We have a busy week that week.” I love the fact her cell phone and laptop have digital calendars, yet she still prefers a paper calendar posted on the kitchen wall to schedule all of her events. When she returns with a pencil in hand we discuss the rest of December. I graduate on the 15th, our all-church Bible study potluck is the 16th, I have an interview on the 17th, will be in Dallas the 19-20th, have a bachelorette party the 21st in Athens, and then Salem’s wedding on the 22nd. She mentions her family will arrive the 23rd as I return from Athens.
“I think it is best if I stay here with Liberty while you head to Dallas. We can prepare for the holiday company and you can focus on your meetings.”
I agree with her and thank her once again for all she does for Liberty and me. She suggests I call my friends and Hamilton to share my news. I don’t have the energy to fill the girls in, so I text to see if Hamilton is free.
Me: text /call when u have few minutes to chat
An hour later, Hamilton’s video call rings my cell phone. I quickly signal from Alma to Liberty before heading for my bedroom.
“I assume you’ve heard something since you asked me to call.” Hamilton’s deep voice greets and every cell in my body stands at attention.
“Can’t a fan just need to speak to her sports hero?” I tease.
“C’mon, I’m dying here. Share please.” He sounds frustrated and desperate.
I share in great detail the call from D.C. Bland Publishing. I explain I am now flying to Dallas for two days and can’t come to Athens early as we had discussed. He promises we will find time to visit after the holidays and before he heads to spring training in Mesa, AZ. Seems I’ve found yet another reason to avoid introducing Liberty to her father. I worry the longer I put it off, the worse it will be when I do.
Hamilton catches me off guard when he claims if he didn’t have a meeting with PepsiCo, he’d fly to Dallas with me. Is that something he’d do as a friend? Maybe if we both lived in Athens he would accompany me as a friend, but he’s in Chicago and I’m in Columbia. Maybe I am just wishful thinking that it means more than it does. I’m still hopeful. I’m not sure when I will get the opportunity to confess, but I am growing more and more hopeful that he is more understanding and happier than mad at me.
Holding my sleepy girl, I smile while wishing Alma a good night. She inquires the reason for my smile. I confess I’ve filled another spiral notebook. I’m such a nerd—I’m excited to write in a new notebook tonight. It’s a blank slate and I’m giddy to create a new story on its pages. I take pride in the knowledge it’s my tenth notebook—I’ll need to buy several more soon.