“What is it, Miss M?”
“Can I ask you something, Daddy?”
“Sure,” he said as they reached the truck
“Are you scared of Kristy like Jesse is?”
“Maybe,” admitted Jake, realising he had been rumbled.
The little girl giggled.
“Not one more word,” cautioned Jake playfully. “Or no ice cream for you.”
Still giggling, Melody clambered into the truck and up into her car seat.
Checking that there were still some quarters in the freezer bag he kept in the glove compartment, Jake headed back towards town. There were no free spaces on the way down towards the bandstand but, just as he made the turn, an SUV backed out of a space up ahead. Gratefully, Jake drove into the spot then asked Melody to fetch him three quarters from the bag, judging that that should buy them enough time for an ice cream and a walk along the boardwalk with it.
With the house to herself, Lori made a fresh pot of coffee then, mug in hand, made her way through to her workspace. Finding time to focus on her latest commission had been challenging lately and she was relieved that Jake was finally home to help with the kids. She had worked on until after midnight every night for the past three weeks as she had created the detailed scene for the latest After Life album. Like Weigh Station, the British band loved intricate, multi-layer covers that depicted a detailed scene to reflect the mood of the album. This current piece was the third cover she had done for the band and the most adventurous to date.
Soon she was focused on the design on the board in front of her. The freshly poured coffee sat forgotten on the desk beside her.
Three rusting, broken down cars sat on Grey’s front lawn alongside his beloved Mustang and his new F150 truck. Musing that some things never changed, Jake pulled into a space on the other side of the driveway between Kola’s Harley Davidson and her SUV. Squeals and yells echoed round from the rear of the house and Jake guessed that Becky must have some friends over.
Carrying a sleepy Jesse, he headed down the path at the side of the house with Melody skipping along at his side. Since his last visit, Grey had added a pool to his yard. Half a dozen teenage girls were splashing about giggling and screaming amid a sea of inflatable creatures.
“Uncle Jake!” screamed Becky when she spied him.
“Hi, Becky,” called back Jake. “Having fun?”
“Sure am,” called back Grey’s older daughter. At almost fourteen, Becky had developed into a very pretty young lady and, as she climbed down the pool ladder in her bikini, Jake felt himself blushing. The little girl that he’d babysat and watched grow up was long gone.
“Where’s your dad?”
“Basement,” she replied, grabbing a towel from a nearby chair. “Kola’s in the kitchen. Go on in.”
Before Jake reached the patio, Kola came out carrying a tray of drinks for the girls. He did a double-take as he noticed the swell of a baby bump under her loose tank top.
“Jake! Hi!” she called as she set the tray down. “Hi, kids. I never heard you arrive. Want a drink?”
“Iced tea would be good if you’ve got some,” said Jake, flashing her a smile. “You got something to tell me?”
Blushing, Kola’s hand went to her rounded stomach, “I didn’t want to tell Grey till he came home. Didn’t want him worrying while you were on the road.”
“When are you due?”
“End of September,” revealed Kola with a shy smile. “It’s another girl.”
“Aunt Kola,” interrupted Melody. “Where’s Linzi and Anna?”
“Anna’s taking a nap and Linzi’s in the basement with her dad. They’ll be up in a minute,” explained Kola. “Would you guys like a soda or some juice?”
“Apple juice, please,” answered Melody politely.
“Jake, what about Jesse?”
“Same, please,” replied Jake. “And congratulations on the baby.”
“Thanks. Grab a seat. I’ll be right back.”
It was Grey who emerged from the house next with four-year-old Linzi tagging along behind him. She was a miniature Kola, same dark brown eyes and thick dark hair. When she saw that Melody and Jesse were there, she squealed with delight then dragged them off down the yard to play on the swing set.
“Changed days,” mused Jake as Grey pulled over a chair to join him.
“Yeah,” agreed Silver Lake’s bass player. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Did you hear our news?”
“Kola told me. Congratulations. She’s looking great.”
“Says she’s tired and feels huge already but she still looks hot to me,” replied Grey grinning.
“Yeah well you always did have a thing for pregnant women,” joked Jake.
“Well, when they are as hot as Kola….”
“You’re delusional, old man,” stated Kola bluntly as she stepped out onto the patio with a fresh tray of drinks. “Take that other tray over to Becky and the girls.”
“How’s Lori?” continued Kola as she passed a blue solo cup to Jake.
“Working hard,” he replied as he accepted the cup, noting his was the only blue one on the tray. “Does she know you’re pregnant?”
“Of course,” laughed Grey’s wife. “She was sworn to secrecy. Both her and Maddy have known for weeks!”
“The souls of discretion.”
While the kids played at the far end of the yard, the three adults relaxed and chatted in the late afternoon sunshine. Even the group of teenagers had quietened down and were all sitting on the grass whispering and giggling quietly.
“You going to see the doc about your voice?” quizzed Grey, noting with concern how hoarse his friend was sounding.
“If it doesn’t improve over the next few days,” said Jake. “I’m hoping a few days of no singing; no planes and a few gallons of hot honey water will sort it out.”
