"I shouldn't worry about either of us getting . . . disenfranchised?"
"Girl, if anyone can burn the rule book, it's The Rocket. He is on the A team. But it's still best only to be reckless when you're alone behind closed doors."
My phone buzzed and the caller ID read: TALIA. "Hey, T. What's up?"
"We're at the pool and Calder's friend Nicolai showed up with his dad. They want to know if Calder can spend the night."
Nicolai and his family lived in the other building in Snow Village. Although Nicolai was two years older, he and Calder had a great time when they played together at the pool or the playground with the other kids. "I'll be there in twenty minutes and we'll talk about it then."
I ended the call and glanced up to see Daisy making eyes at Markus across the room. "I'm out. Thanks for listening. Sorry I'm such a newb at this scoring stuff."
Her gaze met mine. "You won't be for long. I hope you're on your way to earning a spot at the Pro Bowl."
• • •
At the community pool in the apartment complex, Talia sat on the edge at the shallow end, watching Calder diving for a toy. She didn't look at me until after Calder surfaced. "Time's up, mer-boy. Your mom is here."
Calder waved at me and took his time swimming, splashing and bouncing his way to the steps.
"Everything went okay today?" I asked her.
"He was a little tired after camp and fell asleep in the car. But he perked up when we came down here for his swimming lesson."
"Thanks for staying late. I appreciate it."
"No problem. Nicolai's dad said for you and Calder just to come over to their place with Calder's stuff whenever. He said he'll feed Calder supper too."
That gave me pause. "They're assuming I'm letting Calder stay over?"
"Why wouldn't you?"
"You don't think Calder is too young to spend the night at a friend's?"
Talia leveled a look on me that indicated maturity beyond her twenty years. Then again, she was majoring in early-childhood development. "From what I've seen, Nicolai's parents are just as involved in their son's life as you are in yours. I've never seen Nicolai running around here unattended. It's not like Calder would be in Roseville. He'd be in the next building over."
"True."
"Can I ask you something?" Talia said.
"Sure."
"There are half a dozen kids around Calder's age in this apartment complex. It's a gated community. This pool is rockin'. So is the playground. But I don't hear from Calder that you let him play with those kids very often. Only if you're with him. Do you think that's best? Given he's got a built-in social network so close by? It'd be good for him, as an only child, to develop some interpersonal skills."
"It's hard to just say ‘go out and play' in this day and age. But I'm working on it."
"Good. Because I think some separation would be good for you too."
I sighed because I knew she was right. "Camp is great, but it's only three days a week and I know he misses being around other kids. I want to find a balance between his needs and us spending time together . . ." And my own needs.
I held out a towel for my shivering son and wrapped it around him before I kissed the top of his wet head. "How's my guppy today?"
"I'm not a guppy. I passed to the next level. Right, Talia?"
"Absolutely. You are in the flounder-level class now."
He craned his neck to look up at me. "Didja hear that Nicolai asked if I could have a sleepover?"
"Yes, I heard."
"Is it okay? Please? Please? I promise I'll-"
"How about if we talk about it at home?"
His smile fell. "That means no. You always say no."
Hello, guilt.
Talia slipped a maxidress over her swimsuit and crouched down to talk to Calder. "Hey, Gloomy Gus, your mom didn't say no. She probably wants to talk about the rules for staying overnight at a friend's house before she says yes. So promise me you'll listen to her, okay?"
"Okay. I promise."
"Now give me a hug, mer-boy."
Calder squirmed out of the towel and launched himself at her.
We were so lucky to have Talia. I hugged her too before sending her on her way.
After Calder changed from his swimming trunks into his clothes, we talked about the rules. The kid was beyond excited to go to Nicolai's as he packed his backpack and a duffel bag of toys. I didn't have time to change out of my work clothes before we were out the door and on our way to building two.
While the boys raced off, I spent ten minutes talking with Nicolai's parents and exchanging phone numbers. I'd met them several times, but hadn't known that Gabriel had retired from hockey and now coached a club hockey team, and Nicolai's mother, Gejel, was a curling instructor. They were both friendly with Martin and Verily-seemed everyone in the Snow Village complex knew my brother. I declined their offer of joining them for dinner, which I decided was a dumb move as I walked back to the apartment by myself. Why did I turn down adult conversation?