I get sad when I think about the day I pick him up for the last time and don’t even realize it. Carrying him into the kitchen, he rests his head on my shoulder.
My mom grins brightly when she sees us.
“Well, good afternoon! I hope your nap was good,” she says, coming around to tickle at his side. He laughs, jerking away from her.
“Do you want a snack? I can make you some ants on a log?”
I wrinkle my nose. Even I’m not a fan of that one, and my mom rolls her eyes.
“We’ll do apples instead of celery. And some M&Ms instead of raisins,” she says. Like his candy fanatic mom, Theo perks up at M&Ms.
“Oh, now you’ve done it,” I tease, setting him down on the stool at the counter. I take over making the snack so she can finish baking for the day.
It’s not long before we’re interrupted by a car driving up the road, honking on its arrival. My mood sinks, knowing exactly who it is.
My mom gives me a soft smile, moving to open the door. Theo and I follow close behind.
Kendall barely looks at me before moving past and hugging our mom. I raise my eyebrows while pinching my lips into a disappointed smile and nodding to myself because that’s the greeting I expected.
I look over my shoulder to meet my mom’s gaze, a plea not to say anything.
“God, the drive up here was horrid. People really shouldn’t drive if they’re unfamiliar with the snow,” Kendall says, dropping her bag on the floor near the door.
My mom hums. “It’s the tourists. They’re always the worst. How bad was it in town? We still need to pick up the ham.”
“Still? It’s getting late. You should have picked it up already,” she retorts with her nose turned up.
I bite my tongue, wanting to remind her that we only waited because she was late.
Instead, I pick up my three-year-old, who has been watching the aunt he barely knows with a sly, curious look. I tickle his belly as he curls into me, and his laugh bursts out before he rests his head on my shoulder.
Kendall glances over at us, some of her expression softening, but not enough to greet either of us.
My mom clears her throat. “I was just about to leave if you wanted to come with.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to get back into the car.”
I exchange a knowing look with my mom and shrug. “We can go with you while Kendall rests.”
“And leave me here alone?” Kendall asks snidely.
My mom rubs at her shoulder. “I’ve missed you, honey. Why don’t you come with me?”
With a sigh, my sister agrees. It’s not like she wants to go, but she can’t fathom being left out while the rest of us are together.
Theo perks up. “Grandma!” he shouts, flexing his hands out for her to take him from me.
I grab his arms, tucking them down. “Grandma will be right back. Tell her bye-bye, see you soon.”
He pouts. “Grandma!”
Kendall shifts on her feet, a small sneer twisting on her face.
My mom smiles. “I can take him with us. It’s no big deal, right?”
The second question is directed at my sister, whose gaze bounces between us. Her arms cross before she shrugs. “Yeah, whatever.”
I have to tamp down the snark I want to return, and I give my mom a tense smile. “It’s fine. He can stay with me.”
