Make a Wish (Spark House #3)(37)
“She wants to take Peyton to the park after school one day this week, but we’ve kept it open-ended because school just started.”
“Maybe you need to find out exactly where she’s at with this boyfriend.”
“Maybe.” I tap my lip. “I don’t want to mess with her relationship with Peyton though. Not right now.” Despite how I may or may not feel, I have to put Peyton first.
“I’m not saying you need to make a move right now. In fact, it’s probably better that you’re getting to know each other, but it doesn’t hurt to find out how serious this relationship is. I know Peyton is always going to be your number one, Gav, but remember that she’s not the only one who needs stability and people she can count on. You need the same thing. You’ve been without a partner for a long time. And maybe this isn’t the right time for a relationship, and maybe it’s not the right relationship, period. But you won’t know if you don’t at least try to put yourself out there again.”
“I know. You’re right.” And he is. But it doesn’t make it any easier for me to take the leap.
Not when I already know what it’s like to lose the love of your life.
And not when it could take someone important away from my baby girl.
The risk seems too high.
* * *
I do see Harley later that week when she drops Peyton off after going to the park, but I don’t have the balls to talk to her about the boyfriend situation. Not that I would have had a chance anyway since Peyton talks her ear off about school and how much she loves her teacher and that she’s already made four new friends.
On Friday I pick Peyton up from my parents’ place after work. She’s all hopped up, and at first I think it’s because my parents fed her a pound of sugar. Until she pulls a letter out of the front pocket of her backpack. It’s rumpled and looks like it’s been sitting at the bottom of her bag. “I forgot to give this to you! You have to come though because our class is going to perform a song in front of the whole school and all the parents!”
My mom gives me an apologetic look. “I must have missed it earlier this week.”
Peyton wrinkles her nose and twists her hands together. “I forgot all about it, and then Mrs. Horton reminded us. It isn’t until next Friday, though. Mrs. Horton said she emailed all the parents, but maybe you didn’t get it?”
I scan the letter. There’s a parents’ welcome assembly next Friday evening, and some of the older grades are going to perform in front of the school, which seems lofty for only the second week of the school year, but this is a private school, with a special focus on the arts, and much different from the school Peyton attended in Boulder.
“That’s okay, honey. Do I need to confirm your attendance?”
“I already did that this afternoon as soon as I found the letter,” my mom says. “It looks like they had the wrong email address on file, so I had the secretary change it. I said all three of us would be there.”
“Okay. Thanks. I didn’t realize there was an issue.”
“It was probably just a clerical error. They had Marcie’s parents as their top contact.”
“I thought I changed all of that.” Although there was a lot of paperwork, so it’s possible I missed it.
“I’m sure you did and it just didn’t go through. It’s all ironed out now.”
“Do you think Granny and Grampa would be able to come too?” Peyton asks.
“I’m sure they would love to. Let me ask your teacher if we can invite them. I’m sure they’d love to see your new school and meet Mrs. Horton.” And it should definitely make Karen happy; one of her biggest fears was not being able to see Peyton enough.
“If there isn’t room, your dad and I can always go to the next one,” my mom offers.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. They’ve had plenty of opportunities to attend Peyton’s school events; you guys haven’t.”
“I know that, but missing one isn’t a big deal when we get to see our favorite little girl all the time.” Mom kisses me on the cheek and gives Peyton a hug.
It turns out that it’s not a big deal to add two more family members, so we extend the invitation to Karen and Kyle, who apparently already knew about the event because they’ve been getting the school emails. They already RSVP’d and it looks like that plan to come for a visit is happening sooner than anticipated. They’re overjoyed that they’re going to be able to see Peyton’s new school.
Peyton is extra-excited all through the weekend and into the next week, rehearsing the song her class is performing at the assembly when she’s in the bathroom, getting ready for bed, and basically every waking moment. By the time the assembly rolls around, I’m going to know the song by heart too.
* * *
On the day of the assembly, I head home early to make sure I can get Peyton there on time. My in-laws arrived just after lunch, so Peyton was able to take the bus directly home instead of going to my parents’ place like she often does after school.
As soon as I walk in the door, Peyton comes rushing down the hall. “Daddy! Yay! You’re home! When are we leaving? I have to be there at five thirty so we can make sure the whole class is ready. We had a dress rehearsal today, and Tony Burton threw up in a wastebasket because he gets nervous performing in front of people. Mrs. Horton said he didn’t have to participate tonight, but I think he has FOMO because he said he still wanted to even though it makes him sick to his stomach. I’m really glad I don’t get sick to my stomach when I get up on stage. Harley says I’m a natural and that instead of getting nervous, I get excited and that’s how you know you’re an extrovert and not an into-vert.”