Page 97 of Effortless
“Shorts and a t-shirt?” I guess the most logical uniform.
“Not even close. They can’t show skin aside from their faces and hands.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard that right. Bloomers, tall socks, long sleeve shirt things that look straight out of the nineteenth century. It’s awesome. I cannotwaitfor the first game. We’re going to be so obnoxious.”
“This is going to be epic. Did she know all of this when she signed up?”
“She didn’t say but to make it even better… Mom was recruited for the team. Probably because she’s the one person who doesn’t have a fake hip.”
“Yet.”
“I’m telling her you said that.”
I grin. “Honestly, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Mama Leah’s dressing up like a woman from the Pioneer days to play basketball with women who could be her mom.”
“I know. It’s fantastic. But she’s really looking forward to it. I think she’s curious what it’s going to be like but also you know her, she just enjoys socializing and adores the older generation. For her, this will just be fun and something she doesn’t take too seriously.”
“I bet some of the other ladies will take it seriously. I wonder if we’ll see anyone get physical?”
“It’s not roller derby, Had,” he says, chuckling.
“We need to put that on the list for her to get into.”
“Hard no on that one. Granny basketball is safe. Have you seen roller derby? Those women are ruthless.”
“True,” I murmur.
He’s quiet on the other end before asking, “Did that help?”
“It did. Thank you.”
“I miss you.”
I sigh. “I miss you, too. I’ll be home tomorrow, though, regardless of what Mom says.”
“Take all the time you need. We’ve got everything covered here. I’m picking up Brooklyn from school today because Trotter and Logan had to meet with the contractors.”
“Oh, crap! I completely forgot about that.”
“It’s okay. They understand. Tomorrow the boys play in the football finals so if it’s okay with you, I’ll take Brooklyn to the game.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t, but I like to go to the games anyway and Boone’s busy tomorrow night. Cody wants to go so it’ll be like last night, just with me instead of Boone. But I wanted to get your okay for the plans first.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to spending a little more time with Brooklyn. Not that I don’t love having you around, obviously, but I think she and I need this time together.”
“With Cody,” I remind him.
“Well, yeah, there’s that. But she and I have after school today, too, so that will be good. I figure we’ll grab something at the bakery and she’s going to tag along with me while I run for some parts from one of our suppliers and run to Costco for a few things. I texted her today to let her know I’d be the one picking her up and she sent me a picture of her with a thumb’s up so I take it as a good sign.”
“She likes you. And even more, she likes you for me.”
“Glad to hear it,” he says in a low voice.