"Fine." Rowan tugged her hand free. "I'll sit with you. But I need to get the portable battery charger for my phone from my mom. Taking video wears the battery down."
"I have an extra one right here." I patted the pocket of my sport coat. "My phone is fully charged too if you need it."
"You're prepared. It's like you've done this kid's program thing before."
"I wanted to avoid a rookie mistake my first time, so I might've gone overboard in the pregame prep."
She stared at me. "This is why I love you."
"Because of my sports analogies?" I teased.
"No. Because you always think of someone besides yourself."
That was the first time in my life I'd ever heard that, but I'd be damn sure it wouldn't be the last. "Lead the way."
As soon as we were seated, the lights dimmed. Rowan already had her phone out.
Dallas had done an outstanding job putting the program together. The sets flowed seamlessly from a musical number to a dance number to a combination. In the theatrical production the students' talents even outshone the visually stunning backdrop that Walker and Trinity had created.
But when Calder was onstage, I didn't really see anyone else. At age six the boy seemed years ahead, talentwise, of all of the other students.
Or maybe every parent feels that way about their kid.
That thought didn't startle me. Rowan had raised an amazing little boy and I was so damn proud for both of them that I wanted to burst. I wanted to watch as Calder grew and changed from an amazing boy to an even more amazing young man. I wanted to play a role in making that happen.
The entire thing lasted an hour. As soon as the curtain went down, I snuck around to the side door and slipped backstage.
The blast of energy hit me with the same familiarity as when the team won a game. The arts and sports didn't seem all that different right then.
Astrid planted herself in front of me and thrust a clipboard at me. "Here's an alphabetical list of all the students' names. Read them off one at a time. Then introduce the staff members, do your speech thing and remind the audience all of the kids' art projects are displayed throughout the first two rooms and there is a reception with snacks in the library."
I frowned at her. "No offense, Astrid, but I didn't have a clue there'd be after-program activities. Who planned it?"
"I did. With help from Selka and Edie. And Talia helped out."
"Talia? As in Calder's nanny, Talia? Why would she . . . ?"
Astrid blushed.
Guess Astrid had crushed on a woman who crushed on her back.
"Anyway, you weren't here and I knew it was the type of ‘fussy' stuff that you didn't give a damn about anyway-no offense-so I just handled it."
I grabbed her and hugged her hard. "Astrid, darlin', you are the bomb. Seriously. I'm writing you the most glowing letter of recommendation the world has ever seen. I swear if you weren't in college full-time, I'd hire you to be my personal assistant right freakin' now."
She started to tear up. Then she caught herself and rolled her eyes. "Dude. You need a PA. And you oughta know that I can get more stuff done in twenty hours a week than most people do in forty."
"True. We'll talk next week then. If you're seriously interested."
"Deal." She tried to shove me back. "Now, go do your speechifying and bring the house down because a few reporters set up in the back after the lights came up."
Great. But it wasn't anything new to my life. That thought allowed a sense of calm to steal over me.
You got this.
Clipboard in hand, I strode out onto the middle of the stage.
• • •
In addition to talking briefly about each kid-with a limited enrollment I had gotten to know them individually-and introducing the camp staff, I brought Aunt Priscilla, Aunt Edie and my mother onto the stage because they deserved recognition for all the good things LCCO did for the community. They even got a little teary eyed when they noticed I'd saved the biggest bouquets for them.
As soon as I finished closing remarks and encouraged everyone to wander the building, the reporters approached me. No matter how many times I tried to redirect, they were focused on getting the story about Camp Step-Up from The Rocket. I kept as much of the conversation away from football as I could.
So I didn't get to see my family until nearly half an hour later.
The hallway teemed with kids and parents, but I was looking for one kid in particular.
Calder spied me first. The instant he saw me, his face lit up. Then he was running toward me, dodging and weaving through people like I did on the football field-not that I'd make the comparison to his mother-when I had the goal line in my sights.
He threw himself at me and I caught him, crushing him to my chest as he wrapped his arms around my neck and squeezed me tight. I closed my eyes and let his excitement and his need to share it with me flow through me.