Hearing quiet whispering and giggles from behind the closed bathroom door on Thanksgiving morning, I know who is in there without asking. If I had to guess, Rosalie wants another bath, and Rose is there to watch her. The tap is running in the background, and I hear them going through the bath products.
I swear Rosalie will grow a mermaid tail by the time she goes back to San Diego. She’s taking two baths a day and wants to go to the pool in our building for more time in the water. Dex also shared that Rosalie has been talking about taking surfing lessons.
Do I need to remind you that she’s only four?
“Uncle Eli, no. Girls only,” my niece shrieks as I try to open the door and peek inside after knocking.
Taking a step back, I hold in my laughter while asking if they need anything. When Rose and Rosalie both answer that everything is fine, I turn around and walk downstairs to the kitchen. Claire and Dex sit around the kitchen island, reading the morning paper while having breakfast. Watching their interaction is like watching a choreographed dance number.
As I sit across them, they both lift their heads in unison.See what I mean? It would be creepy if it weren’t cool.
“Good morning, brother. Did you see our little one upstairs?” My sister asks and hands me the basket with fresh bread and croissants.
“I sure tried, but it was clear that no boys were allowed,” I tell her with a smile. Claire chuckles and takes hold of my hand over the table.
“Peanut loves Rose. Just like you do. She couldn’t stop talking about her when it was time for bed last night.”
That makes me beam. “I’m beyond happy to see them together like that. We’re witnessing the start of a long-lasting relationship between a little girl and her aunt,” I tell Claire and Dex in wonderment.
“We totally are,” Claire sighs happily. “That reminds me of something. We thought that someone should take Peanut to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I think it starts in an hour, and then it takes them some time to get closer, so there’s no need to hurry just yet. She loved watching it on TV last year.”
“Oh yeah, that would be a brilliant idea. I just don’t think that I would enjoy it that much. I hate the cold,” Dex chimes in before I have time to answer. He’s from the San Diego area and doesn’t understand why people live in places where it snows. I only agree with him on days when the snowstorms turn into blizzards.
Pouring myself a large cup of the local cold brew, I tell them, “You know I wouldn’t mind taking Peanut there while Rose goes for a Thanksgiving brunch with her old roommates. I was supposed to go with her, but we see them often, and you’re only here for a week. They’ll understand.”
“That sounds like a plan then. We still need to make a last-minute grocery run, and I think that it’ll be much easier without a kid who wants every second item in the store. Don’t you agree, wife?” Dex laughs while glancing at my sister.
She nods eagerly and takes another bite of her Nutella croissant. “Definitely. Let’s have a kid-free morning and afternoon, husband.”
After making plans for the day, we enjoy the quiet and our breakfast until Rosalie runs down the stairs, only wearing her pink unicorn hooded bath towel wrapped around her. She jumps up and down, telling us how she can’t wait to eat all the turkey and pumpkin pie tonight.
Same, Peanut, same.
* * *
“Uncle Eli, are we there yet?” Rosalie whines from beside me. We walked for fifteen minutes, looking for an excellent spot to stop and enjoy the parade. She’s getting restless, and there are too many people here.
“Not yet, but soon. Are you getting tired already, sweetie?” I wonder and look down at her. She looks just like her mom while pouting her lips.
“No, just bored.” My niece tells me honestly.
I laugh at her direct approach and put my hand on her shoulder. “Okay then. We can always go back home if that’s what you want.”
She stops and looks up at me. “Where’s the parade? I want to see it now.”
“It hasn’t traveled this far yet. You wait and see; it’ll be fun,” I assure her.
I thought that taking my niece to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade would be the best idea ever. But it seems like she isn’t too happy. I just can’t figure out why.
Being tired of second-guessing my choice to bring her here after another whine from Rosalie, I find the closest wall that has any space to lean on and take us next to it. Getting down to my niece’s level, I look at her beautiful brown eyes. “Hey Peanut, what’s up?”
She looks away and doesn’t say a word.
“Rosalie, talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong. Do you want to go back home?”
“No, I want to see the parade, but auntie Rose isn’t here. We need to find her. She’ll miss it.” Rosalie pleads with tears in her eyes.
I should have seen this coming earlier. Of course. She’s missing Rose since they have spent the last few days attached at the hip. I don’t blame her at all. I would spend most of my time with Rose if I could too.
