Daphne
Daphne
I snuggle up next to Carson on the couch, and Fred flops into the overstuffed chair. Carson and I still go out alone some nights, but most of the time, we choose activities that Fred can do with us. It’s giving me time to get to know him a little more.
And on movie nights, we always let Fred pick.
He cues up the movie, and I stifle a laugh. Tonight’s movie is Scooby Doo! Camp Scare .
Carson pokes my arm. “You want to run home and get your costume?”
“That dress was destroyed at the hospital that night. I don’t have it anymore.”
“That’s a genuine shame.” He winks.
Fred cocks his head. “I’m not sure I want to know what y’all are talking about.”
Carson laughs. “The night I rescued Daphne, we were both headed to a costume party, and she was dressed as Daphne.”
“Daphne Blake? Like the character?” Looking at me, Fred points at the screen.
With an arm draped over my shoulders, Carson brushes a thumb along my arm.
It’s been almost a year since that night, and in all that time, I haven’t thought about the character’s last name. “Yes. I had a full costume. Red wig, purple dress. All of it.”
“Cool.” Fred shifts sideways and hangs his legs over the arm of the chair. “Ready?”
Carson and I nod, and the movie starts. But through the whole movie, part of my brain is thinking about the coincidence of the name and wondering if asking Carson to do a couple’s costume for Rose’s second annual party is pushing things.
The movie ends, and Fred slides out of the chair. “I told Mason that I’d go fishing with him really early, so I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
“Night.” I’m thankful for the new ease in the relationship with Fred, but I’m still working on figuring out how much to say and when to keep my mouth shut.
Carson drops a kiss on my temple before standing. “I’m going to chat with him for a moment. Be right back.”
They disappear down the hall, and I wait.
I shoot off a text to Rose.
Me: Tonight was our third movie night. Fred chose Scooby Doo. Now I’m thinking about the party.
Rose: Y’all are coming, right?
Me: I think so. We haven’t really discussed it.
Rose: Then discuss it already!
Rose: Dallas and I are doing another couple’s costume this year. He’s going to be Woody the cowboy. And I’m trying to decide between being Little Bo Peep and Jesse, the cowgirl.
Me: Bo Peep for sure. You’ll rock a dress like that.
Rose: What are y’all coming as?
Me: Not sure. I’ll ask him about the party in a bit.
Rose sends a thumbs-up, and I tuck my phone away when Carson comes back into the living room.
He sits down beside me. “I wanted to make sure he didn’t hurry off because he thought we wanted to be alone.”
“I hope he doesn’t think that. I’m enjoying our movie nights. And getting to know him more.”
A smile brightens Carson’s expression. “Well, he didn’t leave because of that. He just has more sense than I did at the same age. And he’s going to bed early because of the fishing.”
“Good. I don’t ever want him to feel run off.” I shift. “Rose’s party is coming up soon. Do you want to go?”
He nods. “I do. We’ll need costumes.”
“I have an idea. You could grow out your mustache and go as Magnum PI again. And I could wear my hair up, slap on a fake mustache, and put on a suit. We’d be Magnum and Higgins.”
Carson snorts out a laugh. “Funny, but let’s hang onto that idea for next year.
How about I get you a new Daphne costume?
And I’ll go as Fred. Think I’ll look good in an ascot?
” He laces his fingers with mine. “Originally, I was going to dress up as Scooby, but since Daphne and Fred were kind of sweet on each other, I changed my mind.”
“I love that idea. But I can buy my own Daphne costume.”
“Ok then. It’s a date.” He pulls my hand to his lips. “I like these nights where we all spend the evening together.”
“Me too.” It’s a glimpse of my possible future, and I really want life to turn out this way.
I check the time, intent on finishing work early. I want to stop and get some snacks for tonight. It’s been a year since Fred got me and Carson back together, and movie nights have been a consistent thing. But tonight, instead of a movie, we’re playing a game.
Fred made the request, and I’m excited.
My cell phone buzzes just as I’m wrapping up a project for my boss. And I nearly let it roll to voicemail, intending to check messages after I finish. But Poppy’s name on the screen catches my attention. She has never called me at work.
“Hello.”
“Hi. This is Poppy. Carson asked me to call you. Well, he told Kent to ask me to call you.”
“Did something happen?” Between the edge in her voice and the pit in my stomach, I know something isn’t right.
“Carson had an accident while he was repairing a roof. I don’t know many details. Kent said that Carson was talking when they loaded him into the ambulance.”
I yank my purse out of the bottom drawer and shoot off a speed-typed email to my boss, letting him know I’ll finish the project remotely this evening. “What hospital? I’m on my way.”
She rattles off the name of the hospital and sighs. “It’s been chaos today. I’m supposed to pick up Fred, but the baby just threw up. Mason is home today with a tummy bug. And now this. Anyway, Carson wanted you to know that he was fine. Well, not fine, but very much alive.”
“I’ll pick up Fred. What time does he get out?” I’m walking toward the elevator as Poppy gives me the time and pickup location. If I leave now, I’ll just make it. “Does Fred know about the accident?”
“No. I was planning to tell him when I picked him up. That’s what Carson suggested.”
“Okay. Thank you so much for calling me. I truly appreciate it.” I end the call as I step onto the elevator and then focus on breathing.
Carson is alive. He asked Poppy to call me, so he’s at least alert enough to think of that. And I have to be calm for Fred. I don’t want the poor kid to panic.
When I pull up to the school, I roll down the window and wave.
Fred gives me a quizzical look and walks toward my car. He stops and looks in the window. “Hi. I thought Poppy was picking me up.”
“Hello. Clara has the tummy bug now, so I offered to pick you up.” I successfully avoid sounding like I’m on the verge of panic. “Hop in.”
He opens the door and drops into the passenger seat. “Thanks. I’m glad I don’t have to ride with Clara because I don’t want the bug. Being sick is no fun.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m happy to help.” I take a quick breath, then spew the next part. There is no way to cushion the news well. “Also, your dad had an accident today and is at the hospital.”
Fred’s eyes widen in fear.
“I’m not sure what his injuries are, but he asked Poppy to call me, so I know he’s alive.” I reach across the car and squeeze Fred’s hand. “I assume you want to go to the hospital with me.”
“Yeah.” He bobs his head.
“Do you need me to grab you some food on the way?”
“No. Let’s just go straight there.” He’s bouncing his leg, clearly worried.
As I pull away from the school, Carson calls my phone, and I answer on speaker. “Hello?”
“Is Fred with you?”
Fred leans forward, tugging on the seat belt. “Hi, Dad. We’re on our way to the hospital.”
“They’re transferring me to a hospital in San Antonio. Y’all can meet me there. I’ll text y’all the name. But you definitely have time to stop and get food because it’ll take a while to get there. And you don’t need to worry about me. I’m okay. My leg isn’t, but they’re going to fix that.”
Fred visibly relaxes. “I was worried about you.”
“I figured you would be. And, Fred, be brave for Daphne because I think she’s probably a little worried about me too.”
There is a hint of strain in Carson’s voice, which makes me think he’s in pain.
But his delivery is calm, which is typical for him.
And he’s giving Fred a distraction from his worry while letting me know he cares about how I feel.
Carson better be okay because the chances of finding two men who are this funny, kind, and good-looking are zilch.
“I will.” Fred flashes a determined smile. “We’ll go eat, then meet you at the hospital.”
This is not the bonding experience I wanted.
“Sounds good.” Carson talks to someone on his end of the line. “I need to go. But I’ll see y’all soon. Love y’all.”
The call ends, and I change lanes so that I can hit the highway and drive into San Antonio. “What kind of food do you want?”
Fred shrugs. “Anything is fine.”
“You have to help me decide. All my brain power is focused on driving right now.”
“I’ll google restaurants that aren’t far from the hospital. He sent the name of it to both of us.”
“Thank you, Fred. That is helpful.”
He directs me to a Vietnamese restaurant, and I now somehow like this kid even more.
“This okay?” He opens the door to the restaurant and motions for me to go in first.
“This is great.” We sit at a table near the front window and look over the menu. And we’re both quietly checking our phones every couple of minutes.
By the time our food arrives, we’ve relaxed a bit. He’s asking questions and steering the conversation, trying to distract me from my worry. He may have only been around Carson for a few years, but he models some of the same behaviors.
One day, some girl will be very lucky.