“Ha. You’re no fun. Some people really deserve it. Give Ollie and Frank kisses for me.”
We hang up, and I kiss the top of Frankie’s head as she attempts to shove Ariel into a small plastic car.
“C-c-c-can we go on the bus?” Ollie steers his small biplane through the air.
“I think so. We might have to ride it for a little while. Think we can do it?”
He nods, his bright eyes meeting mine. “It’ll be f-fun.”
“It’ll be an adventure.” I slide my arm around him and pull him to my side as he makes buzzing sounds, his plane doing a flip before swooping low to the carpet. “Five more minutes, then it’s bath time.”
The plane zooms past my face as I reach for a book and open it. I read while Ollie puts on an air show and Frankie munches on plastic princesses with drool running down her arm.
After two books, I throw them in the bath while washing my face and brushing my teeth.
With both kids wrapped in towels, Ollie runs and jumps onto my bed. I lay Frankie down, and she flips over, trying to crawl away. I grab her ankle, and she squeals. I blow on her belly, causing her to erupt with giggles as I strap a diaper on her, then confine her to footie jammies.
I rub the towel over Ollie’s wet, dark hair. “One, two, three blast-off.” He jumps, pulling his bottoms up, and lands back on his butt, bouncing as he reaches for his shirt.
We gather blankies and stuffies, and I chase Ollie down the short hallway to the living room. He screams, and Grover barks and prances, protecting his boy.
I drop into the plush rocker-recliner beside the brick fireplace I’ve been too scared to light. With the temps falling close to the freezing zone, I may just risk it one of these weekends and pray the chimneyis clear.
“Two books, big guy, and grabThe Barnyard Dancefor your sister.” Frankie twists in my arms, hearing the name of her favorite book.
“We always read that one. It’s b-boring.”
“Better not dance or laugh then.” His speckled eye peeks at me with attitude. “It’ll cost ya, and fines are high tonight. Smiles are extra hugs, and laughs are kisses. As many as I want.” He looks at me, his mouth held tight, giving it his all. “And the slightest wiggles . . . Dude, you can’t even begin to afford what that will cost you.”
He climbs into the chair next to me with a stack of books, and I poke his side. Noises come from his little throat as he curls up.
With Frankie on one leg and Ollie on the other, we rock, making all the animal noises and hand gestures before moving on to the next. Halfway through book two, Frankie’s head begins to bob, and I shift her to my chest while Ollie turns the pages.
He snuggles into my side with his fish. “Can we ride the bus t-t-tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure, but I need to leave our car with someone so they can look at it.”
“Like a doctor?”
“Kind of. If something is broken, they’ll fix it.”At least, I hope so.
“Can he come on the b-b-bus, too?” He squeezes his sad stuffed fish.
“He should definitely come with us. All fish need to go on a bus ride.”
He giggles, his fish clutched to his chest as his little fingers run over the worn blue material.
I slide a hand up and down Frankie’s back, her squishy face tucked into my neck. I breathe in the smell of clean babies, wondering how in the hell I’m going to do this.
I will do it. One way or another. I’ll figure it out.
I close my eyes as we rock back and forth. Grover moans as he rolls his furry body, warming my aching foot. I force myself to stay awake. I have a list of things I need to complete before it’s my turn to go to bed.
“Mama, I’m thirsty.”
I peek down at the sweet face that needs to be sleeping. I should deny all hydration requirements, but dammit, I can’t. “Let me put Frankie in her bed, and then two sips, sir. That’s it.”
He smiles.
