Page 11

We walk in and the whole place is bursting with laughter and it feels like we have known everyone here for years.

Alfredo’s Pizza has the classic red and white plaid picnic tablecloths.

The lights are dimmed and music is playing softly in the background.

There is a long wooden table directly in the center of the pizza parlor with booths on either side of it.

I spot Caleb at the far end of the long wooden table and we walk over to his side.

I see Mrs. Emily at the head of the table, there’s no surprise there.

I wave to her as Sadie and I take our seats.

There are quite a few empty chairs across from us. Caleb stands up and introduces me to his wife and daughter. “Luke, this is my wife Megan, our oldest daughter Kira, is at the high school’s football game.” I stand to shake their hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Megan. Caleb has been so helpful and Sadie is really enjoying her time in his class.

” Sadie tugs on my sweater “Daddy, can I go play in the arcade?” Caleb asks Kelsey if she wants to join Sadie.

“Here is a five-dollar bill, we’ll start off small, what do you think Sadie Girl?

” She looks at the five-dollar bill as if it’s covered in gold.

“I think that is perfect, Kelsey, do you want to play with me?” Both girls run over to the quarter machine and exchange their bills for coins.

Sitting here watching Sadie across the parlor, I think of Juliette. How proud she would be of Sadie making new friends. She has always been so shy but lately she has been going out of her comfort zone. I see that she is trying to connect with other kids.

Just then, Principal Morgan McKenna walks in and everyone cheers her name and she’s dancing to the beat of the music playing on the overhead speakers.

She makes her way over and sits directly from me and Caleb and settles into her spot at the table.

She is a middle-aged woman with short blonde hair.

Sadie is almost as tall as she is. I’m so tempted to ask Morgan if people mistake her for a student. But I’m sure she gets that a lot.

“So how are you liking Stonebrook?” Morgan casually asks me.

“I’m beginning to think this place isn’t real.

Everyone seems to be so welcoming and I am just not used to a close knit community.

” Morgan looks around and says “We really try to get together and spend time with one another outside of the school. Some bring their families, others just stop by for a few minutes. I’m happy to know you and Sadie are enjoying our little town.

” I can’t express how thankful I am to have applied here.

To think how everyone back home stared at me while I walked down the grocery aisle.

There were times where I wanted to yell while they stared but I knew that would only make Sadie upset.

Morgan stands up and asks if anyone wants a beer. Almost everyone’s hands go up. “Alright, first rounds on me.” She gets up and walks to the front of the parlor to order the pitchers of beer. I hear the bells on the door jingle and Dayna walks in with Cara.

She looks so beautiful wearing a fitted long sleeve shirt with those skinny jeans that hug her hips perfectly.

Fuck! I can’t help but let my eyes wander to her ass as she walks towards Morgan.

Guilt consumes me. I’d thought myself numb to the idea of being attracted to anyone else, but here I was, feeling the familiar stirrings of desire that had been quietly simmering beneath the surface.

How could I possibly be drawn to Dayna when my wife hadn’t even been gone a year?

The question echoed through me, hollow and unsettling, like a tree struck by lightning.

I turn my attention to Sadie and I see that her and Kelsey are playing Air Hockey. Caleb and Megan gave the girls more quarters to continue playing games. Cara spots me at the end of the table and I wave to her. She takes the empty seat next to where Morgan is sitting leaving a seat open for Dayna.

Dayna and Morgan walk over with pitchers in both hands and space them out sporadically on the long wooden table.

Morgan is on the front end of the table with Mrs. Emily.

Dayna eventually sees me as she is in the middle of the room.

She has the last pitcher in her hand and starts walking my way. She stops to stand next to the table.

“Hi Luke, excuse me as I reach over you.” I try to lean to the left a little while she leans over me to put the pitcher in between Morgan and Cara.

I get a rush of her perfume in my face. Its strawberries and jasmine, it smells vaguely familiar.

Has she always smelled of strawberries? My cock is suddenly pushing against my zipper and I need some air.

I adjust my glasses and tug on my sweater, it is too warm in here.

Dayna sits down next to Cara, just three seats away, but I can still catch the scent of her perfume.

I need some space. The proximity to her is suffocating me and she has no idea the pull I have to her is this strong.

Standing from my spot, I walk over to Sadie to ask her if she wants soda or lemonade.

I won’t be drinking a beer tonight, soda will do just fine.

“How is my girl doing here?”

“Daddy, Kelsey won one game, and I won the other game. Mr. Grant gave us more quarters. Do you have more money?”

“I do, but first what would you like to drink with your pizza? Soda or Lemonade?”

“I’ll take lemonade please. With extra ice!”

Sadie loves chomping on the ice after her drink is done.

She always pops the lid off and chews on whatever ice is left.

I give Sadie the other five-dollar bill and she goes straight to exchange her bill for coins.

I reach the counter and order our drinks.

I give the cashier my card and she swipes it and hands me the cups.

The fountain drinks are on the side of the counter and I fill up our cups.

Once I’m done, I walk over to the table and I see Dayna turned around looking towards Sadie.

Sadie smiles and waves to her as if they’re best friends.

She runs over to Dayna and gives her a big hug.

I’m completely stunned by that as I walk back to our seats.

Sadie has really taken to her and I am not sure how I feel about that.

I sit down as Dayna’s back is still turned to me and is talking to Sadie.

She starts making a flower out of the napkin and hands it to Sadie gently.

My little girl’s face lights up and I start to feel this ping in my chest again.

For the first time, it isn’t sadness but happiness.

Ugh. I need air. “Cara, do you mind keeping an eye on Sadie, I need to go to my truck.” Cara nods her head and tells me to go.

The fresh air feels so good. The sun has set for the night and the street lights are on.

It’s a well lit area with string lights hanging zigzagged connecting the main street.

I’m standing in front of my truck when Dean appears.

He is wearing a collegiate sweatshirt that Dayna attended.

I wonder if that’s where they met. “What’s up man, what are you doing out here? ”

“Hey Dean, I grabbed some extra change for Sadie. She already went through ten dollars playing with Caleb’s daughter.”

“Fuck— kids can really take every dime you have, huh? Glad that lifestyle wasn’t it for us. Anyway, See you inside. ”

He taps on my shoulder and heads inside Alfredo’s .

I don’t know why he and Dayna divorced but I am a little relieved she isn’t with him anymore.

That doesn’t sound like the girl I knew.

She had nursery themes and birthday parties planned out.

As selfish as it may sound, I’m glad that lifestyle wasn’t it for them too.

I shake my head as if I can erase that fleeting thought.

I returned inside the parlor to find Dean sitting right next to my empty chair.

Sadie seated next to Kelsey opening their prizes from the quarter machines.

She already ate a slice of pizza while everyone seems to be talking to one another.

I take my seat and I catch a glimpse of Dayna and her eyes meet mine.

She looks away as Dean’s body tenses next to me.

Does he know we used to be high school sweethearts?