"It's your turn, daddy." Joplin announces, shifting awkwardly in her chair as we patiently wait for her father to put down a card. "Good one," she smiles lightly, eyes falling back to her hand of uno cards.
Taking a sip of my coffee, I lean back into the chair, sitting this game out for now. "Did you have fun at the little party thing last night?" I look over at my husband, who is focused, very intently on his cards.
Since our kids were little, they held serious, strenuous games of Uno in our living room every Friday night... It was almost scary, especially since I gave birth to three very competitive people and married another.
"It was alright." He nods softly, not all that enthused with the pizza party night they held... He isn't much for social events these days.
"Did you meet anyone new?" I cross my leg over the other, hoping that he at least makes friends while he's here, though he has plenty outside of these walls.
He has always been very outgoing, more so than I thought was actually appropriate at times. He was always the life of the party, even while I was at home, watching kids and cooking dinner. It got old then, but now I'd be thrilled if he met someone he could actually socialize with while the girls and I do our own thing.
Shrugging softly, he sets down a red three. "I sat with a couple of newer people." He recalls, which actually kind of surprises me... usually he can't remember what he ate for dinner, let alone who he conversed with days earlier.
"Good, baby." I smirk lightly, reaching out to give his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Her name was Jenny." He adds, looking at me out of the corner of his eye before he glances back at Joplin.
"Oh?" I raise a brow, taking my hand back slowly. "I bet she's great." If it's the same Jenny I signed a book for the other day, I would be pleased to know she's met and even, kinda befriended my husband.
"She was funny and she was reading one of your books." He confirms happily, another grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I didn't tell her I was married to you though." He adds... probably because he didn't remember.
"Hmm," I nod softly, chin falling into my hand as my elbow rests on the table.
"Anyway," Joplin snaps her fingers lightly, surely not all that enticed with our conversation about another woman... She thinks it's odd, I'm sure. "Did mom tell you about her book signing, dad?" She bites down on her bottom lip, excitement filling her deep brown eyes.
Shaking his head, Jerry cracks a little smile. "She didn't, no." His eyes move back towards me, causing me to giggle quietly.
"It was so much fun and she looked so beautiful." She adds, scrunching up her nose as she gives me a big grin.
"Thank you, sweet girl." I can feel myself blush a little as I take another quick sip of my coffee.
"She always looks beautiful," His words cause my heart to flutter instantly- sometimes he really is my man... and sometimes he isn't.
"That's very sweet, my dears." Shifting in my chair, I recross my legs, trying to get a little more comfortable since we'll probably be hanging out here for a little while longer.
Not only does Jerry really love when we come to play cards, but Joplin also seems to look forward to it each week. She's always been very close to her father and I, which I'm still incredibly grateful for... I wouldn't be able to do everything I have to do without her support- she really is an extraordinary young woman.
