With summer school now over, I plan to enjoy my free time with Liberty and Alma. I still have no teaching contract for fall. Instead of continuing to apply for positions, I am focusing on my writing.
My work continues with Cameron and Bland Publishing. My first book will release next month with another to follow in September. The next two books are tentatively scheduled for January and April of next year. My unplanned venture into the world of an author is amazing. I find myself writing a bit every day often at night after Liberty falls asleep. I created a “To Be Written” Note on my phone that I am constantly writing new story ideas when they pop into my head and later enter them into my ideas notebook. While I continue to morph my previously written young adult stories for publication, I have new ideas for new adult and romance titles in my future.
My friends in Athens are crushing this adult thing. Winston and Adrian continue to run successful businesses while raising their beautiful daughter Bella. Adrian sneaks in a private video call from time to time while Winston golfs to catch a glimpse of Liberty and ask for parenting advice.
Salem loves her job as an LPN and helping Latham on the farm every moment she isn’t at the hospital. She shared they are expecting a baby in February in our last text session.
Savannah continues to work fifty hours a week in the bakery. She offers to babysit on date nights for the other couples, while she seems to enjoy her single life. She and I are the only single ladies remaining in our group.
The ladies and I continue our Sunday evening video calls, but instead of weekly we talk on the first Sunday of each month. It’s still only for us girls, but now Bella and Jami join us from time to time. Adrian and Bethany remain the only two friends that know about my daughter. Our friendships have strengthened by sharing parenting stories while they keep my secret.
The Chicago Cubs continue to have a record season. They currently lead the division by ten games. The World Series Talk grows more with each passing week. I hope this is the season I get to witness Hamilton pitch in the World Series. Alma, Liberty, and I watch every game Hamilton is on the mound. On nights he doesn’t pitch the games are still on, but we listen more than we watch. Go Cubs!
Alma enjoys her busy life. We walk in our neighborhood and to the park. She is healthy and active in the church. My work with Cameron allows her to visit Alma more than ever before. Frequent visits from her three children and four grandchildren are her favorite times. With my help she’s started video calls with her family and still joins me on mine with the girls in Athens.
The idea my college advisor had for me to live with Alma while attending college continues to prove advantageous for both of us. I would be lost without her guidance and help with Liberty. As our bond strengthens, I grow closer to my new adopted family. I can’t imagine what my life would be like had I not met Alma. With her support I’ve completed my degree and, in a few weeks, will be a published author. Her time spent with Liberty eases my stress and saves me tons of money. She’s introduced me to a supportive church family along with my new adopted siblings. My life is full because she’s in it.
McGee and Liberty are best friends and partners in crime. They keep Alma and me on our toes both inside and outside the house. We enjoy our walks, playtimes, and frequent cuddles with both of them.
Hamilton and I continue to chat or text several of times per week. We haven’t been together since Salem’s late-December wedding, yet I think we are a couple in our own way. Hamilton now tells me he loves me and misses me during every call. He shares much more about his relationships with coaches and teammates and asks more details about my writing and new adopted-family. Although we live far apart we are closer than we’ve ever been, except for the gigantic secret part of my life I still keep from him.
Over the past two years my life took a different path than planned. It’s not how I imagined life away from Athens—it’s better in so many ways. I’m not sure what my relationship with Hamilton will be when I share about our daughter this winter. For now, I enjoy his distant love and presence in my life via our phones. It’s not a conventional relationship, but I’m happy, hopeful, and it’s all I have time for in my life right now.
The End
(For Now)
Madison’s story continues in another Tailgates & First Dates.