That didn’t go as well as planned. Mom had a concerned look on her face. Angie patted my hand, which caused Dad to bust out laughing.
“You guys keep teasing him, and he’ll get even,” Dad warned.
Greg and Angie smiled at me.
Mom rolled her eyes at us and changed the subject. She and Angie made plans to go to the Dunn’s Country Club and look at their banquet rooms. Dad started work there on Wednesday. He got an employee discount, and Angie needed to book something soon or there wouldn’t be anywhere to hold the reception for her wedding.
I got whacked when I suggested that we do a barbecue in the backyard and go to the courthouse to get them married. Mom and Angie were having none of that. Angie’s aunt was stepping in for her mom and dad since they had disowned her. Her aunt was coming down tomorrow to lend support. I have no idea why it would take three women to pick out a banquet room, but I’d been told to keep my opinions to myself.
AFTER DINNER, I AGREED to take Kyle to my apartment. Greg and Angie needed some alone time. Dad came and joined me since Mom was already in bed and asleep. I also think he wanted to talk to me about something. When we got up to my place, I sat on the floor with Kyle. I’d put up baby gates because he was starting to roll. Greg and Dad had gone out, bought a lot of gates and baby-proofing gear, and installed them all over the house in preparation for mobility. Angie had wisely made my apartment part of the plan and made me fix it up as well.
Kyle had just eaten, so he snuggled up between my legs and fell asleep. Everyone was amazed at how he took to me. I now got him whenever he was fussing. Angie kept threatening to bring home her friends from school who had babies so they could all have some peace and quiet. I figured it was so they could have some ‘girl time’ while I babysat. I kept telling her that when she talked Greg into helping, I’d be willing. My fear was that she really could talk him into it. I was going to have to come up with a better plan. Maybe I could pinch a bottom and debunk this ‘baby whisperer’ legend Angie was trying to sell. Better yet, maybe I could say it only works with Kyle. I really didn’t want to make a baby cry on purpose.
“I had a good talk with Tom today. He wanted to thank you for whatever you did with Tracy to get her to calm down. I guess she’s been a little irritable for the past month,” Dad said.
We both knew what I did, Dad just chose to ignore it.
“I hear you caught some grief for it,” Dad continued. “Did you get it taken care of?”
“With Eve and the women here, yes. I’ve been chicken to call Tami. Last time we talked, she wasn’t a happy camper. I don’t think she can stay mad at me forever, but there’s always a first time.”
“Don’t let it go too long. Tami already knows what happened here today. She’s waiting for you to call her.”
“What should I do?”
“Apologize, and then thank her for caring enough to set you straight,” Dad coached me.
“Dang, Dad, I should be asking for your advice all the time.”
“I’m right here.”
“I know. Watch our ‘roller,’ here, and I’ll call Tami.”
Dad took my place on the floor with Kyle.
TAMI RESPONDED TO MY text immediately. It was almost as if she was waiting for it. We logged onto the video conference.
We both said at the same time, “I’m sorry.”
That got us laughing. I felt a lot better once we stopped.
“Okay, let’s agree that I’m a ‘stupid boy’ and put it behind us,” I suggested.
“Deal,” she agreed. “Now that we know you’re back on the straight and narrow, I have people here who have a question for you.”
Missy and Harper came into view, which made me happy.
“Ladies, it’s so good to see you.”
“Hey, Good-Looking,” Harper purred.
“Umm humm, this can’t be good.”
They both giggled. You have to know Harper. She doesn’t giggle. That made me nervous. Tami had seen enough and pushed in between them.
“The week after your Prom, we’re having our Formal. The three of us would like you to take us.”
“So I get to choose?” I asked.
Harper smacked her forehead.
“Is he really this dense?”
“David, you’re taking all three of us,” Missy clued me in.
“Couldn’t I just take Missy? She at least acts like she likes me,” I complained.
“Nope,” Tami informed me. “I heard a rumor that you have a tux. Go get it so we can figure out what we’re going to wear.”
There was no use fighting them on this, so I went and got it. The bag it was in said ‘Ralph Lauren Black Label.’ Harper and Missy got excited. This was the label just below their best quality. They carried a line called ‘Purple Label.’ The one I got wasn’t cheap, but their top-of-line tux was twice as expensive. I just couldn’t see spending that much money if I was still growing. Thankfully, this one was free.
I opened it up and pulled it out. It had a satin shawl collar. That means the collar is one continuous piece and curves with the jacket. The jacket itself was black and made of wool. It was a very sharp tuxedo.
“Will this do?” I asked.
All three girls nodded. I could tell there was more by the way Tami was acting.
“David, the Wesleyan family is hosting a reception before the Formal. Teddy invited us both. Missy and Harper will be our plus-ones,” Tami said.
“Do you think he’ll have a problem with me bringing three girls?”
“No, I told him what we were going to ask you to do. He can’t wait to see Jennie’s face when you show up with all of us on your arm.”
“Great, all I need is Jennie mad at me. You better warn her.”
Tami assured me that she would.
“I’ve got to go. I’m babysitting.”
“Where is Kyle? I want to see him,” Tami said.
I looked around.
“He was just here.”
I went into the living room and picked him up. I swear, he could sleep through anything. After they all made a fuss over him, I was getting ready to log off when Harper stopped me.
“Hey, are you doing anything this weekend?”
“I have a baseball game on Saturday, why?”
“Would it be alright if I came up this weekend?”
“Uhmmm. I got myself in some trouble this last weekend. I’m not sure I’m allowed.”
“Eve knows, and said it was fine,” Tami told me.
“Did you talk to all of them? They were a little pissed this morning.”
“You’re all good. Just tell Harper ‘yes.’”
“Yes, Harper.”
With that, they giggled some more and logged off.
DAD AND I TALKED TILL almost midnight. He told me what he, Tom and Coach were up to. They had gotten Mrs. Sullivan involved, and she had promised the support of the boosters. The three of them were going to Wesleyan to look at their field house. Their field house was only five years old, so it was something we might want to use as a model for our facilities.
He told me about his new job. He’d waited to start this week to get Mom through her chemo. The country club had been very accommodating in giving him time to take care of her. He said that they were also going to give them the use of a banquet room and just charge us cost for everything. They knew that money was tight, with Mom’s illness.
I offered to pay for everything. Dad was relieved that he didn’t have to ask. We agreed that only Mom would be told. Angie and Greg didn’t need to know that Mom and Dad couldn’t afford a wedding right now. I told him that I’d get more funds moved to my personal account, and he could use my debit card.
We then talked about what I had coming up. For spring break, I was going to northern England to do a shoot for Range Sports. Dad told me that he or Mom would go with me. I wondered what he’d think when I went out with Aubrey. She was closer to his age than mine. I guess I would cross that bridge when I came to it.