Page 20

CHAPTER 20

CASSIE

I ’m sitting at the park, watching Izzy play on the playground when I get a text from Valerie Pryor.

Valerie: You’re going to be receiving a call from a man named Michael McDermott with a 718 area code. Pick up the phone when you see that number. Do NOT let it go to voicemail. Trust me.”

There’s been so many silver linings that have come out of being Izzy’s nanny and two of them are my budding friendships with Valerie and Aly. I’ve gotten to know Valerie better from spending time with her at the games and since Aly’s been back in town, we’ve taken the kids together to the zoo and the splash pad. They’re both so generous, kind, and fun to be around and I’m grateful that they see me as more than just a nanny.

Okay, but are you going to fill me in on what this call is about so I can be prepared to talk to him?

Valerie: Let’s just say that you get to check something off your bucket list.

I frown at her response, trying to remember when we discussed our bucket list items and what I told her. I thought we talked mostly about traveling. She and Rowan went to the Greek Isles for their honeymoon and I know that’s on my list of places to see. I don’t know what else I’ve told her that would qualify being on my bucket list besides travel and dreams for my art career. I wish she would just tell me why he’s calling, but I guess I will find out soon enough.

I focus my attention back on Izzy and smile when I see her start talking to another little kid at the top of the slide. She’s so good at engaging with other children that I know she’s going to make lots of friends in kindergarten next year. I look over at the adults on the other side, wondering which one of the adults is this kid’s parent. There’s a woman with long, brown hair wearing sunglasses sitting across from me on the bench. She’s watching Izzy and this child intently, so maybe that’s his mom because the couple who are on the opposite end of the jungle gym are playing with their baby.

I continue watching Izzy when I feel my phone vibrate in my hand. The 718 phone number flashes across my screen and suddenly I feel nervous. I swipe to the right and answer the call.

“Hi, is this Cassie Warner?” asks a man with a calm, soothing voice.

“Yes, it is,” I confirm, my gaze still on Izzy as I talk.

“Great, my name is Michael McDermott and I’m the owner of McDermott’s Art Gallery in Brooklyn, New York.” My mouth runs dry and my pulse starts to race as my brain registers the words ‘art gallery’ and ‘New York’. “I went to high school with Valerie Pryor and she sent me your website. From what I’ve seen so far, I’m very impressed with your work.”

“W-wow,” I stutter because I’m completely taken off-guard. “Thank you so much for your kind words.”

He chuckles. “You’re welcome, but I’m just being honest. I know this is last minute, but we had a cancellation of an artist who was supposed to be in our July exhibition. I normally don’t take artists outside of the New York area, but because I’m friends with Valerie and trust her judgement, I’m willing to take a chance on you. Would you be interested in the open spot? It’s a multi-artist exhibition, so we would only have room for two of your smaller paintings or one large one.”

My mouth drops open in shock and I’m at a loss for words. Now I remember telling Valerie that having one of my paintings being displayed in an art gallery in New York was not only on my bucket list, but would be a dream come true for me.

“It would be an honor, Mr. McDermott! Thank you so much for this opportunity.” My voice is a higher octave than normal due to the excitement that I can’t contain. “What do you need from me to get this ball rolling and confirm my spot?”

“I will send you a contract with our terms of agreement. Read it over and once you sign it, then your spot is reserved. The first thing I will need from you is your headshot and bio so we can put that up on our website for the exhibition. I will send you the dimensions of your designated wall space and you can decide from there if you will be submitting two small paintings or a large one. When you decide which piece of art you’re submitting, we will then need a couple of sentences on what your painting is about.”

Even though he can’t see me, I am nodding like crazy. This is the same process I went through locally with one of the galleries here in town. “Was there any specific painting from my website that you feel would fit best with your gallery?”

“We always encourage the artist to go with the painting that has evicted the most emotions out of them that they are willing to part with.”

I love this advice from him. “The one I’m working on now is the one that’s bringing out my vulnerability. I’m halfway done with it. When is the exhibition?” I inquire, praying I have enough time to finish it.

“It’s the evening of July seventeenth. Doors open at six o’clock, artist introductions start at seven and it should wrap up around eight. We will need your artwork in house the Monday before the event. Will that be a problem?”

That’s less than two months away, but I should be able to finish the painting by then if I drop everything else except for Aly’s baby nursery painting. Gavin is having a joint party for her and for Gunnar moving to Tennessee next weekend and I wanted to present it to her then. My mind races to try to recall when Gunnar’s All-Star break is, but it shouldn’t matter. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m confident he would want me to take.

“It shouldn’t be a problem. I can send you a photo tonight of what the painting looks like so far and what my vision for it plans to be.”

“Sounds great. I look forward to seeing it.”

“Thank you, again, Mr. McDermott. You are making my dreams come true,” I tell him with a laugh.

“It’s my pleasure and please call me Michael.”

We say our goodbyes and I hang up. Izzy is still playing with the little boy from earlier. They are taking turns chasing each other down the slide and seeing who can make it back up to the top the fastest. I check my watch and see we have about fifteen more minutes until we need to go home and get ready for Gunnar’s game tonight. Since Izzy is having fun and we have some time, I call Valerie.

“Do you have good news for me?” she asks as soon as she picks up the phone.

“Valerie! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you did that for me! I don’t know how I can ever repay you,” I tell her, tears of happiness threatening to spill down my cheeks.

“I didn’t do a thing. I only had the connection—you’re the one with the talent. Tell me everything!”

I relay my conversation with Michael and she squeals with joy. “I’m so excited for you! We need to celebrate.”

She continues talking but I stop paying attention as I watch the dark-haired woman get up off the bench and approach Izzy and the little boy. From the other side of the jungle gym, a man walks around and calls out a name that the little boy responds to. He says goodbye to Izzy and slides down to the man I’m presuming is his dad. The dark-haired woman walks up to the slide and starts talking to Izzy. What is this woman doing?

“Val, let me call you right back,” I tell her and hang up without hearing her response. I stand up and start walking toward them. As I get closer, I hear the woman say to Izzy, “Do you remember me? I’m your mommy,” and I start to run.

“Get away from her!” I yell and stand right in front of the slide to catch Izzy when she slides down. “Izzy, slide down please. It’s time to go home.” She looks between me and the woman claiming to be her mother and I can see the panic starting to set in on her little face.

“Please, I only wanted to see her,” the woman pleads, holding her hands up defensively. She takes off her glasses and places them on the top of her head. Now that I have a good look at her face, I can tell this is her mom. While Izzy has her dad’s coloring, her facial structure is mostly her mother’s. Aly has mentioned Tasha briefly to me, but I’m still clueless as to why she’s not in her daughter’s life. She’s a beautiful woman and I immediately feel resentment toward her due to how she’s treated Gunnar and her daughter.

“Then you should’ve called to make an arrangement with Gunnar.”

“I’ve tried calling him, but he won’t pick up my calls or answer my texts.” She starts crying and I can’t stop staring at her. “I know he hates me. I’ve been a horrible person to him and to her, but I’m trying to be better. I just got out of rehab after six months and she’s the first person I wanted to see.”

“Cassie?” Izzy’s small voice pulls me out of my stare down and I glance up at her. I try smiling at her, but I know she can sense something’s wrong.

“Slide down, Peanut. It’s time to go home.” She hesitates and quickly glances at Tasha before looking at me. “I will catch you. See, I’m standing right in front of the opening.” She glances over the guardrail to see where I’m standing and nods. I hear her slide down and as soon as she makes it to the bottom, I grab her and pick her up. She wraps her arms and legs around me and holds on tight. She looks at Tasha with hesitant eyes. I don’t know when the last time she’s seen her mom was, but I know she hasn’t seen her here in Tennessee, nor has she talked to her on the phone.

“Please,” Tasha pleads and reaches out, but I step back, not letting her touch Izzy’s. “I just want to see my little girl.” She starts hyperventilating and there’s no way this woman is faking this. “I… want… to… be… in… her…life,” she stammers in between breaths. My heart hurts as I watch the tears of pain streaming down her face.

“Go back to wherever you are staying and don’t leave,” I command in a firm voice. “I will talk to Gunnar and get him to call you back.”

“Oh, thank you so much,” she clasps her hands together in prayer and nods at me.

“He’s going to be very mad at you for just showing up here. Do not follow us home,” I warn her. “I will call the cops and have you arrested for trespassing and stalking.”

“I won’t.” She shakes her head and wipes at her tears. “Please have him call me.” She looks at Izzy and smiles. “I’m sorry if I scared you, honey. I’m just so happy to see you. I love you.”

Izzy just stares at her. “You’ll be hearing from Gunnar,” I tell her and turn around and carry Izzy to our car. I walk as fast as I can and am thankful that I got front row parking today.

“Everything is okay, Peanut,” I reassure her while I buckle her into her booster seat.

“I want my daddy.” Her voice is soft and she looks scared, but uncertain as to why she should be.

“We’re going to call him right now. Hey, why don’t we see if Austin can play?” That seems to perk her up a little and she nods.

I shut her door and race around to the driver’s side. I get in and lock the doors. I don’t see Tasha anywhere, but that might mean she is in her car, waiting to follow me even though I told her not to. If she’s a smart woman, she’ll go back to wherever she is staying.

Not wanting to take any chances, I call Aly first. “Hey, are you home?” I ask as soon as she answers. I start the car and pull out of my parking space.

“Yes, why? Is everything okay?” Her voice is filled with concern and I know she can hear the panic in my tone.

“Tasha just showed up at the park and even though I told her not to follow me home, I don’t know if she’ll listen. Since you live in a gated community, I know she won’t be able to get through the security guard without being on the list of approval.”

“Come over now,” she demands with a stern tone. “Does Gunnar know?”

“I’m calling him now. See you in fifteen minutes.”

I hang up with her and call Gunnar. I glance at the time on my dashboard, praying he has his phone or his smart watch on him. It’s too early for batting practice, so he’s either working out or in team meetings.

“Cassie?” he answers on the third ring and I sag with relief.

“I need you to meet me at Aly’s house right now .” I look in my rearview mirror while I talk to make sure I’m not being followed “Your ex just showed up at the park and started talking to Izzy. It was only for a brief couple seconds and then I intervened. I think it’s best we don’t go to the game tonight and stay at Aly’s since I’m not sure if she’s following us or not.”

“I’ll be right there,” he growls and hangs up.

I put my phone down and glance at Izzy in my mirror. She is staring out the window with a pensive expression. “Iz, want to listen to our playlist?” I don’t bother waiting for her response. I grab my phone, open my music app and start the playlist. “ Beautiful Day ” by U2 starts to fill the car and I start singing the lyrics, hoping she joins in like she usually does.

“Cassie?” she asks and I turn the music down to hear her.

“Yes, Peanut?”

“Is my mommy coming with us to Aunt Aly’s?” I swallow, not knowing how to answer her question.

“No, but your daddy is going to talk to her.”

“Will I see her later?” she asks and I wince, hating to hear the hope in her little voice.

“Do you want to see her?” I question, curious as to what is going on in her little mind.

She doesn’t answer at first but then says, “I think so.”

“Okay, well, we can tell your daddy that when we see him,” I reassure her and smile at her in the rearview mirror.

“I haven’t seen her in a long time. Why is that, Cassie?”

My heart breaks at her question. “I don’t know, Iz, but your daddy is going to meet us at Aunt Aly’s house and we can ask him, okay?”

She nods and looks back out the window again. I sing out the lyrics, waiting impatiently for her little lips to start moving in chorus with mine and finally, they do. As if she senses me watching her, she looks in the mirror and smiles. I smile back and continue singing while focusing on our drive to Aly’s, but my mind flashes back to the image of Tasha, crying out for her child. What happened that she hasn’t been in her life for a while?

Gunnar has a lot of explaining to do.