“…and now to conclude my presentation, my assistants will be passing out friendship bracelets I’ve designed for today. They are inspired by my new friendship with Skyla and a preview to my upcoming jewelry collection, which will be launching this winter. Each box contains a bracelet with an inspirational quote written on it for you to give to a friend who inspires you.”
A man—the one I recognize from the wedding—and a woman begin to pass out tiny gold-colored boxes to each person in the room. When the guy goes to hand me mine, I shake my head. He nods once then shoots me an exaggerated wink before moving on to the next person. Did he just flirt with me?
* * *
“Thank you so much for coming!” Skyla throws her arms around Celeste. Career day has ended, and since it’s the last day of school, we were told that we can take our kids home with us now if we choose to. Of course Skyla wants me to. Now we’re standing in the parking lot with Celeste, saying our goodbyes.
“You’re welcome,” Celeste says. “It was my honor.”
Skyla nods in response, her cheeks turning a light pink, which is an indication she’s embarrassed. Why is she embarrassed? “I was wondering…” she begins, her voice a tad bit wobbly. She’s not embarrassed; she’s nervous. “I was wondering if you would wear my friendship bracelet.”
“Only on one condition,” Celeste tells her. “You wear mine.” She pulls a box out of her purse and opens it, handing it to Skyla. Skyla takes the silver bracelet in her hands and reads the quote: “You are amazing. Remember that.” Then she turns the charm over and glances up. “Dad, look.” She shows me the charm. “It’s a dandelion. Just like the one you have a picture of in the shop. Like the ones grandma used to wish upon.”
My eyes meet Celeste’s, and for the first time, I can see her confidence waver.
“Put it on me, please,” Skyla requests, and I do.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell my daughter.
“Thank you,” she tells Celeste. “Do you want me to put yours on for you?”
“Please.” Celeste holds her wrist out and Skyla locks the clasp.
“Thank you for coming today,” Skyla says again. “It’s the last day of school. Every year, on the last day, Dad and I go to the FIT museum and then to dinner. Would you like to join us?”
Celeste’s eyes go wide. I should reprimand my daughter for inviting someone out without asking me first, but for some reason, I’m not ready to let Celeste go yet, and if having dinner with her and my daughter gives me more time with her, I’ll go with it.
“Please,” Skyla adds, and I don’t even have to look at her to know she’s giving Celeste her signature pleading look she always gives to my sister and brother when she wants to get her way because she knows they don’t stand a chance against it. I, on the other hand, have a special dad forcefield, that shoots up the minute her lower lip juts out, to protect myself, and wallet, from that look.
“Sure.” Celeste nods. “I would love to.”
“Yay!” Skyla exclaims. Because it was the last day of school, she doesn’t have a backpack or anything. After Celeste introduces us to her assistant, Margie, and me to her friend, Adam, since apparently my daughter already knows him, I call for a car service to pick us up. Because we’re at Skyla’s school, there’s no way to snag a cab. We could walk to the subway, but I doubt Celeste will want to walk that far in her heels. It’s a bit of a hike.
When we arrive at the museum, Skyla grabs Celeste’s hand and starts to drag her around to each exhibit. Celeste doesn’t complain once, instead she gives Skyla her complete attention the entire time. They ooh and ahh over everything, while I follow them around, joining in occasionally. We spend the next few hours there, until Skyla begins to slow down and complain she’s hungry. Then we head a couple blocks over, on foot, to Jake’s Burger Joint. It’s Skyla’s favorite place to eat, and it has a decent arcade she used to like to play games in when she was younger.
While we sit at the table, eating our food and sipping on our milkshakes, Skyla keeps the conversation flowing. But then she spots a couple friends from school, leaving Celeste and me at the table alone while she goes to hang out with them.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Celeste says, “So…any summer plans now that Skyla is out of school?” Great, cue the awkward, forced conversation.
“I still work, so she goes to a couple different camps, hangs out at the shop, or stays with Quinn, but we are planning a trip to North Carolina.” I cringe the second the words are out of my mouth, hoping she doesn’t ask what for. She knows I don’t have any family there. My only family are my brother and sister and they both live here in New York.