Standing in front of the full length mirror, I double checked to make sure everything looked perfect. My pale pink dress stopped just above my knee caps, showing off my pale legs and white sandals. My make up was very minimal, leaving a more natural look.
I'm a little worried about tonight. It's been about seven months since I've been on a date. It wasn't exactly a date I would ever tell about, which made me leave the dating scene for a while. That break lasted until two days ago when my best friend, Hannah, called me on a lunch break at work. She had told me about this guy she met through mutual friends and seemed like my type. I didn't even get the chance to shoot the idea down about a possible date before she quickly announced our set date for tonight and hung up. I have never been too keen on the idea of a blind date, but I guess this was her way of telling me I needed to get back out there and find someone for my daughter and I.
Deciding I looked the best I possibly could, I left my bathroom. Making my way through my room and into the living room, I smiled down at my daughter who was playing with her xylophone in her playpen. Since my brother had given it to her at her birthday a month and a half ago, it's been all she's wanted to play with. Every time the plastic mallet hit the different colored pieces and the sound played, her green eyes would light up.
"Hey, Cals," I say, pulling her from the xylophone, "whatcha doin there?"
She giggled at me, hitting the blue piece before looking at me.
"I'm playing," she squealed.
As she turned back to the toy, the doorbell sounded. Leaving the living room, I walked down the entry way and opened the door to my babysitter, Emma.
Emma was the sweetest nineteen year old I think I have ever encountered. When I first moved Callie and I out here, I interviewed about eleven people to babysit my angel and Emma was the only one I truly trusted. Maybe it was because she's currently studying Development and Family Studies at UNT to become an elementary teacher, or maybe it was because we got on so well. She's turned into more than just my babysitter, she's become a good friend of mine and great role model for my daughter.
"Right on time," I said, "thank you so much, again!"
I moved over, inviting her into my all too familiar house.
"It's no problem, Amy," she said, using my nickname.
My real name is Amelia, Amelia Rose Goldstein. I've gone by Amy almost all my life, people found it easier to use Amy instead of Amelia all the time. I didn't like it at first, but it's slowly grown on me. Now it feels weird if someone uses my full name rather than the nickname.
"Callie has been fed, bathed, and dressed in her pajamas," I rushed, "she napped around three so she should go down easy for you at eight."
Emma nodded, setting her things down on the sectional in front of the play pen.
"There is food in the fridge and sodas in the garage," I said as I picked up my daughter.
Callie molded against my chest, grabbing my face with both hands and pressing her face to mine as she laughed.
"You be good for Miss Emma tonight, okay?"
She just continued to laugh and mush her face against mine.
Moving her a little ways away from me, I pressed a kiss to her cheek and told her I loved her as I set her back in to her play pen. Just like anytime I leave, she starts to cry as I grab my stuff and head to the garage door.
"Thank you again, Emma," I spoke over the crying toddler, "I'll text you when I leave!"
"Enjoy your date!" she replied.
