RAISING SUMMER

IT'S COMPLICATED...

I sat on the edge of the couch with Summer, my knees were partially raised to my chest as Summer sat on thighs as I played with her. A young woman stumbled down the stairs quiet and sneakily. The walk of shame. I noticed it happen a few time since our return from vacation. I was up to my limit with Luke's petty frat boy behavior. I was worried that his behavior and his late night flings would somehow effect Summer. Thanksgiving was approaching and I didn't know if breaching the subject with Luke would harm our holiday plans. Lucy and her family were coming over to visit and it was Summers first thanksgiving and I wanted to make it special. Considering she was never going to have a normal life with Luke and I for parents. The doorbell rang repeatedly as I jumped up to get it. Lucy huffed and puffed pushing her way inside.

"What? What's wrong?"

"I...found...you...a...date..." She struggled to speak through her heavy breaths.

"Did you run over here, why are you sweating and breathing like that, you only live a few feet away?" I asked.

"Jane, don't you dare judge me. I have forfeited my body to a tiny little monster that dictates my body. Even though I have had five already doesn't mean it's any easier. I consume random concoctions. I snore like an old man. I sweat like a teenager in puberty and man don't even get me started on what comes out of me..."

"Alright alright, sorry please just forget I asked." I cringed covering Summer's ears immediately. "And you are definitely not playing matchmaker for me." I answered.

"Oh come on." She sighed partially exasperated.

"No, what are you? Match.com, cupid. No." I answered.

"He's a gorgeous, amazing guy, great with kids, he's a personal trainer, my personal trainer, and before you say no you have got to look at the abs on this man my god he's like a..."She described.

"god?" I answered.

"Exactly." She grinned.

"C'mon just go to one class with me, just one and if you're not interested then I won't mention him again." She pleaded.

"I don't know..."

"C'mon you're young, you got to get back on that horse, speaking of which, when were you last on the metaphorical horse?" She asked.

"That's none of your business." I scoffed, Summer cooing in my arms. Footsteps approached on the stairs.

"Fine one class, then will you shut up about it?" I whispered.

"Yes!' She cheered as Luke stumbled into the kitchen shirtless.

"Luke, could you watch Summer? I'm going to the gym later today?" He rubbed his eyes, snatching a box of cereal.

"Yeah you were looking like you needed to." He answered before taking the cereal box upstairs.

"Did he just call me fat?" I asked.

"Yep."

***

I walked into class trailing behind Lucy.
Women giggled as I walked into the room. Almost all of them had acquired a baby bump recently. I laid out my yoga pad next to Lucy. A man approached the class with a towel draped around his shoulders. He was tall and sculpted, but in a mild way not in a body building, protein hogging, muscle junkie way. He had gentle deep brown eyes that were darker than his fawn covered hair. He had soft lips and a matching set of dimples next to each corner.

"Good morning beautiful women!" He smiled greetingly.

"Good morning Derek!" The ladies chimed.

"Is everyone ready and warmed up?" He asked as the ladies agreed.