August had never been so glad to take some medication before getting into the car. Well, she probably had been. The accident had left her a wreck. But here was Beau, like the superhero he was getting everything together and ready. By the time she was in the car he even had the AC running but was helping her in like a queen. The drive into the school made her a nervous wreck. She knew the teachers would be hiding and then there was the art teacher. He was a nice man, but she never knew what to say and just hoped whatever came out of her mouth didn’t make her seem like an idiot. The only consolation was given his job, he probably dealt with a lot of weird and crazy parents so August could hope they didn’t stand out too much.
What always surprised them was how Beau never seemed to get distracted while driving. At least to places around the town. He seemed to hone in on it and do that hyperfocus thing they heard some people with ADHD do. So their focus turned to the girls talking about a much better day, minus a test of course. And watching as the girls started slipping out of clothes and showing their swimsuits underneath.
They were about to follow the girls out of the car, after finally parking, when Beau stopped them by putting a gentle hand on theirs. “Hey, wait here a moment ok? The girls and I are going to set something up for you real quick.”
August blinked in surprise. “Oh well… ok then. I’ll wait.” They leaned back into their chair and pulled out their phone, figuring they could check their social media or something. August had no idea what he was going to do. Maybe make sure some of the benches were dry? Honestly they didn’t mind a wet butt. It was annoying, sure. It was always worth it to see the girls doing their best and having a great time. But hey, some friends sent some cute ferret videos so they’d be plenty entertained.
After a few videos they looked out the window to see Beau hurrying back while the girls stood there giggling and trying to look serious. With the grace of a gentle prince, beau opened the door and took their hand. “Ready, and take your time ok?”
A careful step out and more careful steps along the uneven terrain of the gravel path, with a side of mud. This was the part they minded. What was the point of having handicap spots without a way to safely traverse them? No matter. Beau was there as always, supporting them. Just as the two got to the girls, the girls jumped to the side. “TA DA!”
And there was a wonderful set up. The green camping trip chair, covered with the faded pastel rainbow blanket, the pink seat cushion and a bag with snacks and a soda to drink. August carefully sat down, feeling ready to cry. “Oh you guys… you didn’t have to.”
“Mom, dad said you were hurting. Of course we are gonna help. Just take good pictures today, ok?”
“Of course sweetie.” They reached out, pulling the two girls in for a hug and a quick kiss. “Go to your coach and do your best.”
Beau reached over and gave August a kiss with that awful scratchy stubble. Well… they could put up with it for now. Sensory nightmare or not. “Hey I’m going over there to get some dive shots. I’ll be back in a few, ok?”
“Sure thing babe.” August waved a little as Beau went over. The proud papa of two talented, beautiful, smart twins.
One of the other women, who was sitting on the edge of the bench, muttered. “Must be nice…”
“It is nice, minus the pain.”
“Wonder what he did wrong.”
Now August was paying attention. They looked at the woman in her red and white maxi dress, looking like a rejected candy cane the way she was hunched over, phone in hand. “Excuse me?”
“No man does anything like this unless he’s done something wrong.” The woman glanced over. “So what did he do? Forget your birthday?”
August wanted to scream at this woman. Slap her or… or something. Defend their husband over this. Ingrained habits instead demanded they answer differently. “He hasn’t forgotten anything. He just wanted to do something nice for me.” They snuggled down into the seat, starting to turn to the girls. “I’m just hurt a bit is all.”
“Oh I see, playing it up for special treatment. Smart.” The woman sounded smug.
August hated this woman existing and hoped the kids were maybe ones she didn’t have to deal with ever. “So where are your kids?”
“Just one, Janet. She’s the tallest one in the group.”
August looked and ah. There she was. The one with a star on the swimsuit. Good, Alexandra didn’t like her so August didn’t have to worry about being too fake nice to this lady. It was awful when the kids were sweet and the parents talked down about others all the time. “Those are mine.”
“Oh those two huh? Maybe that’s what he did.”
August closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “What are you talking about?”
“Well my girl is obviously more talented than yours. Don’t get me wrong they are good for special needs children, but really they shouldn’t be on a normal team. Your husband must be flirting with our coach to get to do this sort of thing.”
With that August had their cane in their hand and banged the metal bleachers, a metallic ring heard echoing for what felt like miles.
“Oops…”They readjusted and stood up to full height and stared the shook woman in the eyes and spoke in a lower tone only heard by the two. “Stop projecting your issues onto my family. You don’t know us. You don’t know him. You don’t know my children. So…shut your mouth and maybe find a different seat before I get back from the bathroom.”
There wasn’t enough room as it was to move from the bleachers with their cane, so another, softer bang, was heard as rubber met metal and they made their way to the pool bathroom. Beau was trying to come over to help, with August shaking their head. No, they were fine. Just in pain.
Just as they got there and went to the stall to calm down, images of everything that could go wrong from that interaction running wild, a notification went off. Wait. Right. They were supposed to talk to Beck9824. Also known as Becca.
Beck9824: Hey you coming on VC I’m here? Or are you loopy from meds?
They took a moment to collect themselves before responding.
Dreamcoveredbooks: I’m here sorry. No VC though. I’m at swim practice. The girls really were looking forward to it.
Beck9824: Oh well of course my favorite adopted nieces need their mom there. But we needed to plan right?
Dreamcoveredbooks: Yeah. Beau outdid himself and some jealous bitch tried to say it was because he was cheating on me.
Beck9824: LOL The same guy who showed a girl around at work and panic called you because he was told he was flirting with her? Yeah right. What did he do?
Dreamcoveredbooks: Blanket, pillows, and snacks with a good chair for the swim practice.
Beck9824: Nice! When you guys come up for the wedding, you need to make him train my cutie. Now I’m guessing you want to top that?
Dreamcoveredbooks: yeah without resorting to sex I mean. It’s alright and all I guess but… I mean it’s not that special. I want to do something really romantic.
Beck9824: Darn, there goes half my list. j/k But seriously. I have some things you can surprise him with that will really help him out. Can he see the phone?
Dreamcoveredbooks: No… I’m hiding in the bathroom trying not to have a panic attack over dealing with the bitch.
Beck9824: Hey it’s ok. You won’t get thrown out. You have a cane. Now go back to the awesome chair and we will talk. I’ll put any pics behind spoilers so he won’t see.
Dreamcoveredbooks: You are the best Becca.
Beck9824: Oh I know. Gotta make sure my bestie is good to go. Lemme know if you want Lulu in on this too.
With that she got up and slowly headed back up. August took a few deep calming breaths. Becca was right. Beau took the time to plan that nice chair and everything, so now she needed to head out to the main area after throwing that fit. Time for the big girl panties, she supposed, and face whatever music might be waiting. Even if it meant facing that bitch of a woman. Or so she thought. By the time August got back, the woman was gone. She hoped nothing too drastic happened… but she didn’t see the girl with the star swimsuit either.
She did however… see the chair and its new location.
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