Because even though it’s been a scant few weeks since Jolie became part of our family, I can’t imagine a future without her in it in some capacity.
By my side.
In my bed.
Raising our own babies.
Yeah, I’m fucked.
Chapter Ten
Jolie
“Oh, look, Mutt and Jeff are here,” Arya sleepily mumbles as I get her tucked in on the couch. I grab the remote, flip through the channels and put it on one of the kid’s stations, the volume low, so she has some background noise. I know she’s probably minutes from falling asleep as I lean down and kiss her forehead.
“They’ll keep you company as you nap, sweetie,” I reply. “I’ll be out on the back porch with Dex if you need anything, okay?”
In a whispering, gravelly voice she replies, “Mmhm. I’m sorry, Jolie.”
“For what?” I question, staring down at her.
“Because I got sick.”
“That’s definitely not your fault. Some people are more prone to catching something than others, and it sounds like that’s you where strep throat is concerned. You’ll start feeling better in a few days. Dex or I will go by the school and see if we can get anyclasswork for you so you don’t fall behind and can get caught up once you feel better.”
“Okay. I don’t like missing school,” she murmurs. “We always have a lot of fun.”
I smile down at her because she’s one of those rarities of the world. She plays full out when she’s home and is into everything, like most kids, but she thrives at school. She’s got a lot of friends and is always one of the first ones chosen to be another child’s partner because of how easygoing she is with everyone.
“I know, and you’ll be back on your feet and there with your classmates before you know it, I promise. Now, how about you get some rest so the medicine can start working.”
“Alright.” As I turn to walk away, I hear her whisper, “I’m really glad Dex married you.”
Shaking my head because surely I heard her wrong, I leave the room and head to the kitchen where I find Abuela and Nonna sitting at the table going over the month’s calendar with one of them adding activities as the other calls them out. As usual, even with the canned goods cooling on the racks, and the soup simmering on low on the back burner of the stove, the kitchen is meticulously spotless.
I can hear the dryer going from the mudroom as the washer apparently hits the rinse cycle and grin. After all the walking this past weekend, none of the kids was interested in hitting the stores for new clothes, so Dex and I went online with each one of them and ordered what they needed. The boxes started coming last night and were immediately opened so the stuff could be washed and sanitized. Dyes are harsh on skin, and since the kids have enough issues, we didn’t want to add to the list of concerns.Considering we bought full wardrobes for three kids, it’s a lot. But the grandmothers are on it and will have them pressed and folded before the day ends.
“Do you want me to take a basket outside and fold it?” I ask as I reach into the refrigerator for two bottled waters before I pick up my burgeoning notebook and a pen.
“No, mija,” Abuela says, glancing at me. “We have a system for all these new clothes. Plus, Dex needs to know what Albert found today.”
My shoulders slump because I know he has no clue how invasive the battle is that we’re going to be facing. It wouldn’t be so difficult but he’s somewhat on borrowed time right now where work is concerned. One of these days, his phone is going to ring, and he’ll have to head out, leaving me with all the insanity.
But you’re coming to enjoy it,my mind whispers, voicing my feelings aloud in my head to where I can’t ignore them.Face it, you’ve been lonely for a very long time.
I have been, if I’m being honest with myself. Outside of the minimal conversations with Dale whenever I handle a job at one of his sites, and of course, Mindy, unless I’m substitute teaching, I can sometimes go most of the day living in silence without talking to anyone outside of the mumbling I do with myself. Here, that’s never an issue whatsoever.
“Well, the offer still stands,” I reply. “Oh, and make sure y’all put your bingo nights on the calendar as well. Maybe we need two calendars,” I muse. “One for all of our activities, and one for who’s cooking. Don’t forget, we’d like to start having a leftover Friday, so the fridges are ready for our grocery store haul on Saturday. Plus, the kids would like to cook with supervision ofcourse on Saturday night, and because of church on Sunday, we’re going to start eating out on that day.”
“Such a waste of food,” Nonna murmurs. “We are perfectly capable of cooking, dolcezza.”
“We’re both well-aware that y’all can cook, but I agree with Dex. Sundays should be a day of rest and recharge forallof us and that includes y’all. And don’t think when he has to go to work that we’ll go back to how it’s been because I’m perfectly capable of taking all of us out as well.”
Since both women look like they’re gearing up to argue with me, I wave the bottles in the air as much as I can since my notebook is tucked under my arm and say, “Dex is waiting for me. I better let him know what Albert found.”
I’m giggling a little bit as I step onto the back porch which has Dex asking, “What’s so funny?”
Instead of answering him, I hand him a bottle of water, set mine as well as my notebook and pen on the table that’s situated between the two chairs and pull out my phone. “I’ll tell you in a second. Do you know if we have access to a patient portal for the kids at their pediatrician?” I question.
