He peers up at me. “My mom’s really s-smart. She’s also a p-p-princess.” He takes off toward the door. “She even gots a crown.”
She’s too smart. She seems to know every single button I have and is intent on pushing each one of them. All at the same time.
Grover and I trail Ollie into the kitchen. Sarah holds him up to the sink to wash his hands. I hang my coat on the hook along with my hat.
“Mmm. Sarah, this is so good,” Krissy hums with Frankie on her lap, a long, fat noodle sticking between her tiny fingers.
I want to roll my eyes at Krissy’s exaggeration like she’s never had a decent meal before.
“You are definitely coming for Thanksgiving. Bring any dish you want,” Krissy says, twirling more noodles around her fork.
Sarah hands Ollie the towel, but he runs his hands down his shirt and then slides onto a chair. “I don’t know. My best friend is visiting, and you guys have yourown—”
Krissy holds up her fork. “It’s a Friendsgiving. It’s so chill. Everybody brings something. Wind cooks a turkey, and we watch the game. You guys have to come.”
Sarah’s eyes flick to mine, still unsure.
“You should come,” I confirm.
I can feel Krissy’s wide-ass grin without seeing it.
Sarah nods once and grabs a plate, filling it with noodles.
“I don’t want that,” Ollie says, pointing to the chicken and tomato mixture Krissy is moaning over.
“I have butter noodles for you, but you have to eat your fruit and broccoli.” Sarah pulls a sheet from the oven layered with green stuff.
I take my turn at the sink, but not before I see his face scrunch, and I don’t blame him.
She scoops some on a plate filled with noodles and blueberries and then hands me a plate.
I take it, inspecting the pot of noodles, the chicken mixture, rolls, and the broccoli, which I won’t be touching.
I gesture for her to go first, and a slight smirk appears that makes me think things I shouldn’t.
Just one more night, and everything will be back to normal.
She fills her plate, and I follow, sitting beside Krissy.
She pops up. “I’ve gotta go.”
Sarah reaches for Frankie and moves her messy mixture within reach.
“This was . . .” Krissy kisses the tips of her fingers. “I’ll think about it all night while I’m orienting and watching babies be born.”
“You’re no longer in the ER?” Sarah asks.
Krissy grabs her coat and keys. “Nope. I got a position in Labor and Delivery, and I’m loving it.”
Frankie’s messy little hand opens and closes, and then she slaps her mouth, blowing a kiss.
“Aw. Bye-bye,” Krissy whines, blowing a kiss in return.
“Bye, Kissy,” Ollie says with a mouthful of noodles.
The kitchen falls quiet as the door closes, except for Ollie’s humming.
Sarah taps her fork in the broccoli-infested area on his plate. “Don’t fill up on noodles before you eat these.”
