Mommy For A Minute

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Lauren watched all her guests leave together, not giving her any opportunity to talk alone to Jack. She’d hoped for a chance to explain what was going on with her brothers.

But going to a baseball game in a group wouldn’t make a difference. Would it?

LAUREN WAS READY at five o’clock in case Jack got there early. Unfortunately, her two oldest brothers got there first, followed by James and Cheryl. Jack and Ally got there just five minutes before it was time to go.

“Come on, Jack. We can all squeeze into Bill’s van,” Barry called.

“Ally, do you need to go to the bathroom before we go?” Lauren asked softly.

“Yes, please,” Ally agreed and turned loose of her father’s hand.

Lauren took her inside her apartment. While there, she asked Ally if she was excited about going to the game.

“Yes, but what is the game?” Ally asked.

“Baseball. It’s where they throw the ball and try to hit it with a bat.”

“Okay. Daddy said it was fun.”

“Good. I hope you like it. And you get to eat a hot dog at the ball game.”

Ally stared at her. “I have to eat a dog? But I like dogs.”

“No, honey, not a dog. A hot dog is a wiener in a bun. You’ll like it.”

“Okay. Do they have ice cream?”

“They do. After you eat your hot dog, you’ll get some ice cream. If your daddy doesn’t buy you any, I will.”

Together they went outside to find everyone else in the van. Jack was in the backseat, waiting for the two of them. They managed to squeeze in beside him where Lauren carefully and deliberately put Ally between her and Jack.

An hour later, they were parked and walking to the stadium.

“Hurry, guys, they’re playing the national anthem already,” Bill called.

Jack scooped up Ally and put her on his shoulders. “This should speed things up a little,” he said with a grin.

“Good thinking,” James said. “If you need me to spell you, just let me know.”

“Thanks, but she’s a lightweight.”

Lauren walked beside Jack because the others were paired off, also. But she was feeling a little odd. The four others thought she and Jack were a couple. She only hoped Jack didn’t realize what they thought.

JACK HOPED Lauren didn’t realize he’d taken advantage of her brothers’ misunderstanding their relationship. But he hadn’t been to a baseball game in three years. The opportunity to go tonight had been too tempting to refuse.

He felt excitement rising as they approached the stadium and the crowds of fans milling about. His little girl tugged on her daddy’s ear.

“Daddy? Daddy? Where is the hot dog I have to eat, so I can have ice cream?”

“Who said you had to eat a hot dog?”

“Lolly. She promised.”

Jack turned to look at Lauren. “You promised her ice cream if she ate a hot dog?”

“I thought she should have something solid before she ate ice cream.”

“Okay. Then let’s get our hot dogs.”

“Why don’t I get the hot dogs and you go ahead and find our seats.” She turned to Bill. “Give me my ticket so I can stop and get the hot dogs before I go sit down.”