Page 70 of Rain Delay

It was a small sentiment, but it meant the world to me. It made me feel a little better about today.

As I approached the front door, I see my parents’ dog, June, barking in the window. I smile, hearing my mom yell through the door at June to stop her ‘yapping.’

Mom opened the door and had the biggest smile on her face. “Oh, I am so happy to see my Ellie-bug,” she pulls me into a tight hug. I return the hug just as tight. I sigh in relief as her arms wrap around me; I’ve missed my mom so much. I’ve been so damn busy, it’s so hard to try and schedule a time to come and see my family.

“Hi, momma,” I say as I pull away from the hug.

She moves out of the way, allowing me to walk inside of the house. I’m ambushed by the dog, crouching down to let her give me all the loving. “June! Get off of her!” She shooed the dog away. “We have manners in this household, missy.”

I smile, continuing to pet her. “Don’t be mean to my June Bug. Plus, I’m used to having dogs around. Wyatt has the sassiest Dalmatian named Maggie. We’re best friends.” I tell her, looking up, watching as her face changes when I mention Wyatt.

“Don’t the Crafters play tonight? Why aren’t you there?” she asks.

“The social team wanted me to enjoy a night off. Usually it’s not something I would do, but they were grabbing good content for the Detroit series, so they said they would delegate someone to be on Wyatt tonight.” I shrug. “I’ve been really busy with my workload.”

`She nods. “Y’know, I’ve been really good at not telling your father about who you’re working with,” she notes. “I think you should tell him about that.”

“Wow, thanks mom! Such a trusty parent.” I say sarcastically. “You want me to tell him so you can see him have a full-blown aneurysm in front of us?”

“Exactly that. It’s not my place to tell him, Eliana Harper. That’s on you.”

Not the government name. I cleared my throat, nodding as I stood up and walked into the living room to see my dad sitting in his recliner, of course, watching the Crafters pregame show.

“I come up here to get a night off from the team, and somehow, it always finds it way to me.” I say as I walk in, getting my dad’s attention. The grin on his face widens and my heart warms.

“I thought I heard my Ellie-bug in the house,” Dad says as he stands up, embracing me in one of his bear hugs. Another hug I’ve been needing for a hot second.

“I’m a loud yapper,” I giggle. “Thought I could get away from the team, but I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re watching the game.”

“I don’t miss one, you know. I’m due to get down to County Stadium to catch a game in person.”

“You just let me know when, and I’ll make sure you and mom have tickets with your names on them.” I sit on the couch across from the TV, next to the recliner. “Is this all you two do now? Sit at home living a retired life?”

Mom chuckles, sitting down next to me. “Basically. We do take walks from time to time around the neighborhood. Then I’ll go visit your Aunt Taylor and I still meet with Mrs. Mitchell and some of the ladies from the Legion for book club once a week.”

I give a little nod. I wanted to get a little nosy about what her and Wyatt’s mom talked about, but I held back.

“Oh! How is she doing? I haven’t talked to her in a while.”

“She’s doing great. She was mentioning to me at club the other night that she was going to visit Wyatt soon.” she glances at Dad, then looks back at me. Almost like a maybe now’ s a good time to talk to your father about your little situation!

“I may not like the kid, but he’s been playing some great baseball lately,” dad comments. “Maybe a thing or two did stick with him from when I helped him back in the day.

My heart did a traitorous skip at the sound of my father voicing his praises for Wyatt.

Dad would never forgive Wyatt for what he did. It would take a lot to earn my dad’s forgiveness. He helped Wyatt a lot through high school to get him into Coastal Carolina and get scouts to notice him. When we broke up, I think a part of Dad’s heart broke as well.

“Uh, yeah,” I add. “The team’s been super fun to watch. And they’re all great guys, too.” My face was like stone, trying not to make it obvious that I’m hiding something from him.

“So,” he started, his voice dropping into that low, serious register. “Everything going well down there? I’m happy you’re working with the Crafters.” He rolled his neck, a loud popping noise sound coming as a result. “The hometown team must be exciting for you, El. I’m sure anything is better than working with that Jordan asshole, though.”

“Picking up garbage after fans have left the stadium would’ve been better than working with him.” I bite the inside of my cheek, avoiding eye contact.

“Who are you working with this season?” He asks, and the feeling of dread and uneasiness coils up in my stomach.

I looked over at mom, hoping she’d help me out with this one, but I think I was on my own.

I clear my throat, taking a deep breath before looking back at my father. “I don’t think you really want to know…”