The Funny Thing about Love: Feel Good Sweet Romance stories

by Laura Burton

  Lacing my fingers together in anticipation of whatever it is he’s about to spill, I study my fingernails. After yoga this morning, I’d painted them a purple color called Flowerista. “Okay.”

  “Nora hasn’t stopped talking about our movie night. Any day she spends time with you, she’s automatically on Cloud Nine. You’re probably her favorite person right now.”

  Feeling my chest fall, with relief but also with a slice of grief, I lick my lips. “That’s hard to believe with my track record.”

  Parker’s eyebrows rise. “With kids?”

  Laughing, I nod.

  “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Hadley.”

  “Trust me. I’ve long since maxed out the credit card that is this,” I say, pointing a finger up and down myself. “But that’s alright. It fits me. I’m working with what I have.”

  Tilting his head, Parker studies me, his eyes moving through me like dark spears of amber light. “I wish you saw yourself the same way we see you.”

  Swallowing hard, I shake my head and press a knuckle to my temple.

  Before I can think of something to say in response, Nora comes racing out the back door and catapults herself back up onto the trampoline, handing her dad and me something. “One for you,” she pants. “And here’s yours,” she says, placing the cold plastic atop of my messy bun.

  “What is this?” I laugh.

  “Oh, no,” Parker moans. “No.”

  “You’re the queen, and daddy is the king. And I can be the princess. Okay, we’re ready for the story now,” she tells her dad as she makes sure his gaudy gold crown is tilted just how she wants it.

  “Alright. Where were we?”

  “Beluga Bay,” I breathe, a smile teasing my lips.

  “So once upon a time,” he says, starting his story once more. “On a dark and stormy night along the coast of the beautiful Beluga Bay, there was a king and a queen who lived in a driftwood hut with their princess of a daughter.”

  “Is that me?” Nora whispers, her smile growing in the dark of night. “Am I the princess?”

  Parker nods, his eyes darting up to mine as he continues.

  I can’t help but grin as I watch Nora lie on her side next to her dad as he works to spin his words in order to feed her one of the most deserved, fascinating, and creative bedtime stories I’ve heard in all of my adult years.

  As his tale continues, it orbits into a new realm and stars a whale named Happy Bandit that the little princess who runs away from her driftwood hut ends up finding. Upon discovering Happy Bandit, the princess adventures through the water, sky, and universe with him, the two creating memories together, even making friends with a polar bear cub named Snow.

  Parker continues to weave the tale all while wearing his dress-up crown, mine perched overtop my bun while the cicadas sing the three of us into a reverie here on the trampoline.

  As I sit here listening to the honest and caring timbre of Parker’s voice as he continues telling a story of epically sweet proportions, I decide that if only I listened to my heart a little more, I could probably hear a tiny whisper that starts to bloom inside me.

  I could listen to bedtime stories like these every night for the rest of my life.

  Parker

  With my cell phone pressed to my ear, I nod even though Susan can’t see me. Taking a look around my kitchen, I make sure Nora is nowhere in earshot. “I know. Things have just been all over the place lately. I’m trying to figure out what to do next at work. Keeping Nora occupied until school starts next month. You know the drill.”

  Susan scoffs. “I have kids, too, Parker.”

  I know, I want to say.

  “How are they doing lately? They ready to head back to school yet?” I joke, slapping my knuckles to my cheek. Why am I making small talk with her right now? I need to tell her how I really feel about what’s left of this sinking relationship… if I could ever even call it that.

  “Daddy,” I hear a harsh whisper from my left.

  Turning, I’m surprised to find Nora. “Hey, honey. I’m on the phone right now,” I whisper back. “Why don’t you go get started on our puzzle, hm?”

  Nora furrows her brow and points toward the French doors that lead into our backyard. “Hadley is back there playing with Pepper! Can I go please?”

  I hear Susan still talking on her end of the phone, but I’m not able to concentrate on both conversations at the same time. “Where is she?” I ask Nora.

  “In her yard. I’ll be good, I promise.”

  Leaning over the kitchen sink, I glance out the window and spot Hadley’s red hair bouncing as she and Pepper play fetch just off her patio.

  “Okay. But you ask her first, alright? If she doesn’t want you over there, you come straight home.”

  “I will. Thank you,” she says, hugging my knees.

  As soon as Nora leaves through the back door, I can’t help but watch her as she trundles over to Hadley’s yard, curious, eager, and full of life. My little girl is growing up so fast.

  “Parker, we shouldn’t see each other anymore.”

  Pulling in a breath and turning my attention back toward the conversation with Susan, I blink, surprised that she’d be the one to say something of this caliber so suddenly. Not that I’m surprised, because I haven’t been giving her the relationship vibes she wants.

  Studying the refrigerator, I plant my eyes on last year’s photo of the girls, both Nora and her friend Ryley, with Landon, Hadley, and their friends Chelsea and Lorelai at Nora’s birthday party that Hadley had helped me plan. We’d had an early evening shindig at Pebble Point of East Shoal. In the photo, Hadley squats next to a few of the kids, her windblown hair kissed a strawberry blonde in the fading sun, freckles scattering her joyous expression.

  Remembering Nora’s last birthday well, I can still feel the sheer amount of attraction I’d experienced around Hadley back then. As well as the two months we’d spent dating. Though the odds of us ever having worked out to begin with were close to insurmountable. Especially with how much she claims to dislike kids. Although she seems to get along well with Nora, I could never ask her to take on a role like that if it’s not what she wants for her own life.

  Exhaling steady, I nod again, realizing even though I’d seen Susan a good handful of times over the past month, nothing I’ve felt with her is comparable to how alive I come when I’m around Hadley. Her spirit, her vitality, her pure joy— it all makes my heart swell in a way that it hasn’t with anyone else.

  Wait. Nora’s birthday is in two weeks, and I haven’t planned a lick of it. Add another to-do onto the mounting list of mine.

  “Parker? Did you hear me? I’m breaking up with you.”

  “Uh, yeah. I think you’re right. We’re probably better off as friends, the two of us,” I say, somehow knowing good and well that the one friend I want in my life more than anyone is Hadley Kratz. My next-door neighbor, the woman I’d loved for two months and maybe never quite stopped loving. The woman who just so happens to be amazing with my Nora.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “No. I realize how right you are” I say, wanting to make it very clear that she’s holding the power in this situation. “I agree that this isn’t exactly working between us.”

  “Not working? Kind of like how I found you at Drake Park the other night with your so-called friend?”

  “Hey,” I say, my voice growing gruff and protective. “Hadley’s a friend. Nora really looks up to her.” Sighing, I shake my head. I don’t want to have to defend Hadley— shouldn’t have to. But that’s obviously something Susan doesn’t get. “I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I think you’re great, but—”

  “Don’t,” she suddenly snaps. “I have to go. Oh, and just for the record. That business deal you were telling me about? The gourmet tootsie rolls or whatever it was you were planning to peddle next?” she asks, her words hanging in the air.

  “Caramel, yeah.”

  “Well, I hope they fail. Desperately.�
�

  And just like that, she ends the call before I can even tell her the gourmet caramels already failed. Because that happened weeks ago.

  Scratching my head at the undue drama, I glance out the window again and find Nora and Pepper splashing in the sky blue kiddy pool with Hadley overseeing. Nora is stomping in the water and blowing bubbles from a ruler-sized wand as Pepper tries to hop high in the air and snatch them right from the afternoon shade.

  As soon as I notice a smile start to spread my lips, I hear my phone ring again. Sure as anything that it’s Susan to probably serve me one last diss, I study the screen only to realize it’s a number I don’t recognize.

  It could easily be one of my vendors from out of the area. Accepting the call, I answer. “Hello?”

  “Is this Parker Shaw.”

  “It is. Who’s calling?”

  “Hi, Parker. This is Anne-Marie calling from Shoals Island Memorial.”

  The hospital. My heart suddenly drops.

  “Not to worry you, but I’m calling regarding your father. He’s fine,” she reassures me, continuing. “But he did have a fall that landed him here. He’s needing emergency surgery on his left hip.”

  “He’s okay?” I ask, now feeling my face hot as coal. “That’s his bad hip,” I sigh under my breath, not believing what’s happened. “Are you sure he’s alright?”

  “Yes, he managed to fracture that hip of his. But the doctor’s pretty sure we can get him stitched back up, put everything back into place without a hitch.”

  “Okay. Can I see him before the surgery? I’m on my way. What room?”

  “You can, yes. He’s in Room 213. Doctor Gussman will be by to catch you up on the details. Just let a nurse know once you arrive.”

  “Got it, thank you. I’ll be there shortly.”

  Now in full panic mode, I grab my keys, wallet, and phone. Normally, I’d ask Pops to watch Nora if I had to rush out, but with him being in the midst of crisis, I’m just not sure anymore. Frantically searching my phone, I dial Keslyn’s number. She’d been a nanny to Nora off and on for a year now, so I’m hoping I can swing by and drop her off if she’s not busy with another family. But when she doesn’t answer, I realize I’ll have to take Nora with me.

  Putting on a stone expression, I meet the girls over in Hadley’s yard.

  “Daddy, look! Pepper is a bubble princess!”

  I watch as Nora turns two huge circles and blows bubbles like a wall of fairy dust. “I see that, sweetie. Nora, we’ve got to head out for now,” I say, trying not to lock eyes with Hadley.

  Nora frowns and lays the bubble wand in the plastic pool. “Why?” She furrows her tiny brow, breaking my heart. “Where are we going? Are we going to dinner with Pop Pop?”

  “No, not tonight,” I say, running a hand down my face. “Come on. We’ll talk about it in the car.”

  “Can I go to the bathroom first?” Her eyes are big brown saucers that somehow hold me together in the midst of panic.

  I nod. “Be quick though.”

  “Come on,” Hadley grins at Nora, reading my discomfort. With a swift step, she walks my daughter inside her house, Pepper tight on their heels.

  I check my phone again and dial Keslyn’s number once more only to get her voicemail.

  Within the two minutes of me inspecting the treeline at the back of our yards to keep myself from breaking down, Hadley returns alone, leaving her back door ajar. “She’s just finishing up. Is everything okay?” she says low, apparently reading the fear I’d been trying to conceal.

  “Yeah, all good.” I nod and run a hand down my face, accidentally letting a harsh breath spew from my lips. I don’t want to spill my guts to her like this, and especially not right now. “It’ll be fine.”

  “Is it Jerry?” Hadley asks, somehow reading me.

  Biting on my bottom lip, I nod slowly.

  “Holy crap.” Her eyebrows draw up in attention as she keeps her voice steady. “Is he okay?” She turns back to the open door to make sure Nora’s still inside.

  “He’s fine. It’s his hip, but he’ll be going into surgery in the morning. I don’t know what time or— I just need to go make sure he’s good. I need to see him with my own eyes.”

  Hadley nods and wrings her hands in front of her. “I’ll keep Nora. Unless you want her to—”

  “No,” I say with a shake of my head. Tapping the screen of my phone, I dial Keslyn’s number one last time out of desperation and hold the phone up to my ear. But nothing. Studying the screen, I fight the haze that’s threatening my eyes.

  “Parker—”

  “No. I can’t ask that of you. I’m not sure how long I’ll have to be there tonight, and with everything else you’ve done for Nora— for me— I just can’t—”

  “Hey, stop,” Hadley suddenly says, her voice as serene as untouched water. Reaching up, she wraps her delicate fingers around my fisted cell phone and brings my hand down, lowering it between us. Her touch is hot and feels like summer personified, but for some reason, I don’t want her to let go of me. “You’re not asking me, Parker. I’ll keep Nora. I can bring her over whenever you get home. If that’s in the morning— great. If it’s not until sometime tomorrow evening, she can come to the studio with me. Go be with your father, Parker.”

  My chaotic expression melts into relief. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m one-hundred percent positive. She’ll be fine. Three Little Birds,’” she says, reminding me of Bob Marley’s song that she used to play me whenever I’d worry. “Everything will be A-okay here.”

  Pausing on the sentiment, I decide I’ll keep that with me for comfort. “Okay. She hasn’t eaten dinner, and—”

  “I’ve got a box of mac and cheese in my cupboard,” she grins. “We’ll make it work. I promise you.”

  Nervously scrubbing a hand over my unshaven jaw, I nod, her safe words having convinced me. “Okay. Alright. I’m so sorry about this.”

  “Don’t you dare apologize,” she points. “Go be with Jerry.”

  I nod again, now feeling like I could just break down in front of her for some reason. She’d be a soft enough person for me to let myself disappear into for a few minutes. She understands me that way.

  Suddenly, Nora flounces back through the door with Pepper chasing her in what looks like an exciting game of tag. “I’m ready!” she squeals.

  “Actually,” I say, squatting. “Come see me.” I hold my arms out to her, and she falls into me for a quick hug that feels so necessary and needed right now. “I think maybe I’ll leave you here with Hadley if that’s alright. What do you think? You two can have dinner together and play on the trampoline if the moods hits,” I chuckle with a wink. “What do you say?”

  “Really?” Nora asks, her mouth turning into an excited circle.

  “Really.”

  “Okay! Where are you going?”

  Hanging onto the words before I spew them, I do my best at not lying to my kid while also wanting to shelter her from the full truth. “I’m gonna go see Pop Pop for a little bit. He’s tired, so I thought I’d go check in on him and—”

  “Okay,” Nora laughs. “I can stay here with Hadley.”

  Knowing she means well, I pull her in and kiss the top of her hot head. “Alright. You stay here with Hadley. You two promise not to have too much fun without me, right?”

  “Welllllll, maybe,” Nora giggles as I tickle her.

  I’d give anything to keep this exact smile by my side for the rest of tonight, this summer, my whole life. But taking a mental snapshot of it will have to do for now.

  “You be good for Hadley, okay?”

  “Yes, sir,” she nods. “We’re gonna have fun! Right?” She shoots Hadley two thumbs up as she hops in her direction. “Right!”

  Returning the gesture, Hadley nods. “Of course, we are. Fun all night.”

  “Good,” I laugh, standing back up, feeling a few grievous bricks lighter. “Be kind,” I say, winking at Nora.

  “I will.” Hear
ing Pepper bark from behind her, she takes off running, her arms wildly flapping in the evening air as if she’s trying to take flight.

  “Thank you.” Mouthing the words to Hadley as I so often do now, I tear myself away from the girls for the evening with a hole the size of three little birds imprinted onto my soul.

  Hadley

  “If I’m a princess and you’re the queen with Daddy as the king, then what does that mean Pepper is?” Nora’s voice is full of curiosity as she considers the equation in her mind. “Can she be another princess? Just like me?”

  Chuckling through my heavy heart from Parker’s news about his father’s fall, I stand in the kitchen stirring the macaroni noodles in a pot of boiling water. Even though she probably can’t see me from where she sits on the small couch in my living room next to Pepper, I nod. “Sure she can. What kind of princess is she?” I ask over my shoulder.

  “The pretty kind. Do you put her in a dress ever?”

  “No,” I laugh. “Can’t say that I’ve ever put Pepper in a dress.”

  “Well, I have some for my dolls that she would look so pretty in. They’re American Girl Dolls, and they could be beautiful with her gray hair. Maybe I can bring those over some time.”

  “I can’t wait to see that,” I snort under my breath, knowing there’s no way we’d ever be able to wrangle Pepper into an American Girl Doll dress. Holy moly, it just wouldn’t be possible.

  “Hadley, do you think I can come spend the night for my birthday party? I love it here.”

  Her sudden and completely out-of-the-blue admission shocks me. I set the wooden spoon down next to the stove and turn toward the living room where she’s peering at me from over top of the couch, her ponytail a frizzy mess. “Really? You want to spend your birthday here?”

  “Yeah!” She nods enthusiastically as Pepper, who’s completely content, also glares at me from where she’s perched. “Can we have a sleepover?”

  “A sleepover?” The thought shocks me right out of my internal daze and takes me back to my own childhood. Because for an hour straight as we played Go Fish at the coffee table, I’d been able to think of nothing other than Parker who had to rush off to go be by his dad’s side while he recovers. “Like you want to come over here and stay the night? Just for your birthday?”