Beyond Home

Lauren

I've been driving myself crazy all morning trying to think of something fun I can do with Camila and Emily. I want to make a good impression, and everything I come up with seems lame. Grabbing my phone to call Mom and ask her opinion desperate times and all that I notice I have an email from Portland management. Scrolling through, I see it's a reminder that the Portland's family day is at the zoo this Saturday. If I'm interested in attending, I need to give them the number of attendees so they can prepare my passes.

Someone is watching over me.

Quickly, I reply that I need three tickets, two adults and one child. I had forgotten all about the event and wasn't even sure I was going to go. A single girl at the zoo isn't much fun. A single girl, and the girl she wants to get to know, and her adorable daughter... that sounds a hell of a lot more appealing. Instead of calling Mom, I call Camila.

"Hello," she answers, and her voice is gruff from sleep. Looking at the clock, I see it's just after eight in the morning.

"Did I wake you?" I ask, trying not to think about her all snuggled up in her bed.

"I was just lying here. Em woke me up about ten minutes ago."

"She's an early riser?"

"Pretty much."

"Who is it, Momma?" I hear her sweet angelic voice ask.

She hesitates. "It's Lauren."

"I wanna say hi." There is a rustle with the phone. Then I hear, "Hey, Lo, whatcha doing?"

"Morning, princess. I was just calling your mom to plan for us to spend the day together next Saturday." I know it's a dick move to get Emily excited before I run it past Camila, but I'm hoping that works in my favor. I can't have her backing out on me.

"Are we gonna play soccer?" She asks.

"Nope, but I need to ask your mommy first. Can you hand her back the phone?"

"Mommy, Lauren wants to talk to you."

"Hey," Camila says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

"So, I have this thing on Saturday, and I was wondering if you and Emily would come with me?"

"What kind of thing?" She asks cautiously.

"The Portland's are having a team family day at the zoo. They close the place down for us, and we pretty much have free rein. I thought Emily would enjoy it."

"She'll love it," she admits. "What time?"

I throw my fist in the air in silent celebration. "I'll pick you ladies up at eleven."

"Okay," she whispers.

"Okay," I repeat. "Great. Send me your address."

"I can do that. I have to get moving and make breakfast. Then I have to work this afternoon."

"Just when you have time. Have a good night at work."

"Thanks, Lauren. I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye, Lo!" Emily yells as the line goes dead.

I can't wipe the smile off my face. I spend the rest of the day lounging and getting caught up on things around the house. We have two home games this week, hence the reason for the team day at the zoo on Saturday.

By nightfall, I find myself sitting on the back deck, untouched bottle of beer sitting on the table. I was antsy in the house, pacing, not sure what to do with myself. That's not something I'm used to. I was tempted to go to Frank's for dinner but didn't want to push my luck. Now here I am wishing I had gone, while cursing myself inwardly for not doing so.