Page 14

Sam

A fter my long morning run, I texted Kelsey to see if she could meet me for coffee to discuss her potential travel plans on Tuesday.

Me: I asked you for something without providing all the details. Would you be willing to meet for coffee this morning?

Kelsey: Okay. I actually have a lot of questions. I have Crew. Can I bring him?

Me: Of course. You don’t need to ask me to bring him. He’s welcome wherever you are.

Kelsey: Can you meet me at Julia’s Beanery? It’s within walking distance for me, and it is much easier to bring him in the stroller.

Me: Sure, what time?

Kelsey: 10?

Me: Perfect.

I showered, dressed, and decided to walk instead of driving.

I loved the city, but parking was only guaranteed if you had access to a lot.

I was hopeful that Kelsey was considering my proposal and took her agreement to meet as a good sign.

If the answer was no, she wouldn’t have agreed to coffee, right?

I arrived at the café a little earlier than her and requested a table with a highchair and room for a stroller. Not knowing much about babies, I doubted he could sit in a high chair, but I’d seen others use high chairs to set the car seat while they ate.

I kept a close eye on the door while I tried to distract myself with my phone.

I was in the middle of reading a sports news article when I heard the door chime.

Kelsey struggled to hold the door open and maneuver the stroller into the café.

I left my phone on the table and strode across the café to help her.

She seemed surprised and slightly flustered.

In the few short interactions I’d had with her, I’d realized that she had trouble accepting help.

“Oh, thanks. I never feel like I have enough arms. Am I late? Have you been here long?”

“No, you are on time. I’m chronically early for everything, so I’m used to waiting for people.”

“I try to be on time but can’t always predict when I’ll leave the house,” she said, gesturing towards the sleeping baby. When we arrived at the table, she left the baby in the stroller and sat across from me.

“As I said in my text, I don’t think it was fair of me to drop that on you last night. I travel more than average, so I’m more comfortable making last-minute plans than most people. You mentioned that you have questions. Does this mean you’re considering it?”

“I am, even though every logical bone in my body says it’s a dumb idea.” She hesitantly met my gaze and then quickly glanced towards her son.

“Ouch, don’t hold back,” I laughed nervously. I was used to the jokes about being superstitious, but I wanted this woman to take me seriously.

“I haven’t traveled with him yet; he was only born on March 19 th, and travel isn’t in the budget.”

“The 19 th ? That’s why you picked that number in Keno,” I said, realizing that the number was as meaningful to her as it was to me.

She looked at me inquisitively, “How do you remember that?”

“It’s my number.” Nope, she had no clue.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t notice your number while you were pitching.” This was solid evidence against Josie’s theory that she’d picked the number because she knew its significance.

“I’ll be traveling with the team to Minneapolis on Monday morning.

I would have my assistant book a flight for you whenever it works best for you.

Because I threw over a hundred pitches, I’ll be on five days of rest. I won’t be on the mound until Thursday, and that’s a day game.

If you’d like to stay both Wednesday and Thursday, she’ll book you a suite for both days. ”

She nodded nervously and looked at the menu. When the waitress came over, she ordered a breakfast sandwich and an orange juice.

“No coffee?” I asked.

“I quit when I got pregnant, and he gets cranky when I drink it.”

“Are you putting coffee in his bottles?” I asked, trying to make a connection .

“I breastfeed, and he gets everything I eat and drink indirectly.”

My eyes inadvertently slipped down towards her breasts, which strained against her t-shirt. I deserved to go to hell for the thoughts that went through my mind. “I’ve heard that’s the healthiest option,” I stuttered before redirecting my gaze to eye level.

“It’s also free, ish.” Kelsey shrugged.

“What do you need from me to agree to do this? I can replace any income you lose at work, cover travel expenses, and compensate for any other related costs. Would it help if your sister came too?”

“I doubt Kylie could come. She has just returned from college and will start her new position next week. I don’t think she gets vacation time for the first six months. But I’m trying to wrap my head around the logistics of traveling with him.”

Crew started to stir, and Kelsey rocked his stroller to see if he would settle.

“Monica, my assistant, can help you with the logistics. I usually have a one-bedroom suite, but I can have her book a two-bedroom suite for both of us to stay in. She can also book a separate suite for you two, whatever makes you more comfortable. If we share a suite, I can help with Crew.”

“I appreciate the offer.” At that point, Crew went from stirring to crying, and she stood to unstrap him from the stroller. He continued to fuss and cry, and she tried to soothe him with a pacifier.

“Is everything okay?”

“He’s hungry. I don’t like to feed him in the bathroom; some of them are gross.”

“Feed him here.”

She looked at me nervously as Crew let out a blood-curdling scream. She reached for her diaper bag, found a small blanket, and then shifted him into position. He immediately stopped crying, and the sound of him gulping milk carried across the table.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? Please don’t apologize. I can’t begin to understand your day-to-day life; I’ve just asked you to put it on hold for me. He’s hungry; it’s not something you can control, and he shouldn’t need to wait.”

“I haven’t been around many people outside of family. We’re doing okay, but I still get nervous in this situation. Some people are nasty about breastfeeding in public.”

“I don’t see anything, and I’m sitting directly across the table from you.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Crew’s hand poked out from under the blanket, affording a view of her breast that I hadn’t earned. Crew came for air, belched, and then slipped back below the blanket again.

“Okay, so I’m going to try. I’m nervous to travel with him, but I’ll try.”

I sighed heavily with relief. “I’ll have Monica reach out later today.

She’ll book your flights and help with any other transportation logistics you need.

I don’t know how much you make per shift, but I thought I’d cover 100% of your travel and transportation costs, as well as $ 1,500 for any potential lost wages. Is that enough?”

“That’s more than enough.”

Once Crew finished eating, he sat on her lap, smiling and trying to catch the eyes of anyone who walked close to the table.

“I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t his dad want to be in his life?”

“I didn’t know his father well. We met in Cancun and didn’t share contact information. He doesn’t know Crew exists, and I only know his first name is Tom, and he lives in California. He likely would have helped if he had known he had a son.”

“I think you’re giving him the benefit of the doubt. Have you tried to find him?”

“I struck out with social media. My only other option would be a private detective, and that’s not within my means.”

It took everything in me not to do whatever it took to fix her problems. My mother had always said that if you wanted to hire someone who could get shit done, hire a mother. Most mothers accomplished more before 7:00 am than men did in an entire day.

We both finished our breakfast. I helped her situate Crew in the stroller, and we went our separate ways. She’d provided her information, and Monica would follow up to confirm travel arrangements.