"Because I need to watch Parker and she's disappeared," I tell him, standing from my seat and leaving from behind the table. I look around for the magenta tutu Parker was wearing, but I don't see anyone with a tutu or pigtail buns. I walk down the hall toward the bathroom signs, hearing footsteps follow behind me.
4
"Did you seriously lose Parker?" Grizzly bear asks.
"She was with me one second and gone the next. I didn't think she'd run off during the bake sale."
The man groans. "Maybe if you weren't so concerned with your phone, you would have seen where she went."
I spin around and face the guy. "Are you kidding me right now?"
He smirks. "Maybe."
"This isn't funny. I need to find her," I tell him.
"Okay, well, it's a little funny because she's at the table with my daughter since you sold out of cookies. I heard Parker had some random mom sitting with her, so I came to see who you are."
"And who are you to be concerned?" I retaliate.
The guy folds his muscle-clad arms over his chest as if he's the Brawny paper-towel dude. The fleece shirt isn't helping the look. "I'm Brody Pearson, Parker's uncle."
Shit. Shit. Shit. FML.
"Oh," I say, sounding as off guard as I feel. "I didn't realize you would be here." Why the hell didn't Brett have his brother bring Parker?
"I'm head of the PTA, so yeah, I'm here."
"Head of the PTA?" I ask, laughing. "You?"
Brody looks from side to side as if I'm joking, which I am, but I'm laughing at him not along with him—if he were to be laughing.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Nope," I say, popping my p. "I better go and collect Parker from your table."
"She's fine," he tells me. "Are you always this friendly?"
"Yes," I respond.
"You don't really have a kid that goes to this school, do you?" he presses.
I press my finger to my lips. "I just—I don't think I owe you any more answers."
"I'm sure Brett will have all the answers I need," he says. "I'll just give him a call."
Brody turns away and heads back to the line of linen-covered tables. "Uh, wait, don't call him. He's in an important meeting. That's why I'm here."
Brody continues walking, looking through his phone as if searching for Brett's number. "The things I have to do around here," he mutters.
"Seriously, why are you acting like a jerk?" I ask him.
He twists his head to look over his shoulder. "You're the one who lost my niece, remember?"
"I didn't lose her. She walked away."
"She walks away a lot did you know that?" he quizzes me.
"No, I did not know that, but it might have been some helpful information that Brett could have given me as a warning."