“Thanks, Mom.” He leans his head against my shoulder, reminding me of all the times he did this as a child. I mean, he’s still a kid, but he’s as tall as me, and I don’t get these small moments anymore. Not since he became a teenager and thinks he doesn’t need his mom anymore.
The only thing that would make this moment complete is if Abby would come out of her room and hang out with us. Not that I mind. I should schedule more one on one time with each of them.
The movie is winding down and I move the popcorn bowl to the coffee table. “Do you have any plans for the weekend after the game?”
“I was actually going to ask…” he trails off and doesn’t say anything else.
“Ask what?”
“If a couple of my friends can stay over after the games?”
This is the part I hate about working on the weekends, especially working late. “You’ll have to talk to Grandpa. You know I don’t get home until really late. If he’s okay with it, then I’m fine.”
“I’m sure he’ll be okay with it.”
“Just a couple of friends, Isaac,” I narrow my eyes at him. “Not the entire team. I know Grandpa thinks he’s still super young, but he isn’t. And no offense, but y’all can be a lot.”
Rolling his eyes, he shakes his head. “My whole team isn’t half as bad as Abby and her friends.”
“Be nice to your sister. She’s not even here to defend herself.”
“Says who?” Abby says from the hall entry. “At least we don’t annoy the crap out of you when they spend the night.”
I can already tell this is going to turn into a battle. Holding my hands up between them, I give a pointed look at each of them. “Let’s not do this tonight. It would be great if y’all could go one day without fighting.”
Abby tilts her head to the side, debating how she wants to proceed. Sighing, she nods. “Okay, Mom. Sorry.” She sits on the other side of me on the sofa, and leans her head against my shoulder. She only ever does this when she wants something.
“What do you want?”
“Who says I want anything?” She looks up at me and bats her eyes. Good grief she’s laying it on thick.
“Spill.” I nudge her with my elbow and she sits up. “Might as well get all of the asks out at once.”
“Well, if money is included in that ask, can I have a hundred bucks?” The sly grin crossing her face lets me know she’s not being serious. Before I can say anything, she continues on with her requests. “Since Isaac has friends staying the night over here, can I stay the night at Chloe’s?”
It’s better than them both having friends over for the night. I’m not sure my dad could handle all that despite what he thinks. “Yeah, that’s fine. As long as it’s fine with her parents.”
“I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t.”
“You don’t have to have an attitude.” Isaac pipes in.
My daughter’s only response is an eye roll. Most days I wonder if I’m capable of raising two teenagers at the same time. Both kids have mood shifts at random times, and while I’d like to think they’ll talk to me when something is going on…there are days when I think they don’t. I’ll be patient, though.
“How are you getting there?”
She loses all of her mood and looks at me. “Her parents can get me. They know you work nights.”
A small part of me wonders if they know I bartend, and if they judge me for it. I don’t have the luxury of giving it much thought, though. I have to be able to take care of my kids and make sure their sports are paid for.
“Okay,” I grab the popcorn bowl off the table and stand, “are you going to the games with me on Saturday?”
“No.” She shakes her head, “they are going to get me around lunch. I think we may be going skating or something.”
“That’s fine.” One less stop I have to make. This time I’ll make sure I have a bag ready to change into for work. “I’ll leave some money for you before we head out. Just call me when you get to where you’re going.”
“I will.” It feels weird telling her this two-days before she plans on going, but she’ll be asleep when I leave tomorrow and it looks like I won’t see her again until Sunday. “Love you, Mom.” She rushes over to me and gives me a quick hug before retreating back to her room. Those are the moments I live for.
Isaac gets up and gives me a quick hug. “I’ll see you bright and early Saturday morning unless I’m still awake when you get home tomorrow night.”
