“You go ahead of me,” I say, nudging them back towards the stairs, “I’ll be right up. Let me finish talking to daddy.” They scamper off. “So,” I continue, gesturing at all of the party supplies. “What, really, is the deal with all of this? I was just here last night – like, fourteen hours ago, and
The next weekend, the party honoring Annabelle Prath is in full swing in Victor’s back yard. The windows along the back of his house, between the kitchen and the pool, have all been folded back to create one big party area which Amelia has filled with tables, waiters, bars – even a small dance floor
“That’s not enough,” I say. “Two boys, one me. You need three pieces of cake.” Victor laughs and sits down in the chair next to me. “I knew they would be asleep. This is just for you.” I accepts the cake happily and dig in. It is absolutely delicious – the bitterness of the dark chocolate complime
“Come on, boys,” Victor says, walking unannounced into my kitchen the next day. Note to self, I think, narrowing my eyes. Get a deadbolt for the back door. “We’re taking the day off!” Alvin and Ian throw their hands in the air, shouting with joy and excitement. “No,” I say, my voice low. “Today i
“It was like floating!” Alvin pumps his hands in the air. “Let’s go again!” “No, something else!” Ian says. Victor puts a hand out for Evelyn, helping her out of her seat once she has un-buckled. He raises an eyebrow, deferring the choice to her. She laughs and shrugs. “I don’t really care, whatev
“Hello?” Victor’s mechanized voice scratches through the phone. “Hey,” I say. “It’s nice to hear from you.” Victor hesitates on the other side of the line and I realize, feeling stupid, that I’m talking to him like a friend. I clear my throat and sit up straight in my closet. “So, why don’t you t
“Leave it in the past,” I advise. “Ask her, honestly, about what your mutual timeline is for kids – make a plan. Then, if she doesn’t come through on the plan to which you both agree, then you can have a conversation about that. You don’t need to pin her to the wall for something which she may or ma
“Ian, you need to slow down!” I call after him, shaking my head as he bursts through Victor’s back door like a tornado. Alvin isn’t far behind him. “Boys –“ I step into the kitchen moments later and see that they’ve left chaos on their wake. Their backpacks are thrown on the floor and four little s