“Someone had to do it. My parents are asleep at the wheel.”
“Your parents are giving you a fake sick day.”
He tipped his head as his brow lifted. “You both are?”
“We are.”
“Is Dad under the influence or something?”
“Nope. I told him what I want more than anything today is some time with you and the twins, who are still recovering from being sick, and he suggested we take a mental health day.”
“He suggested it? Am I still asleep and dreaming? If so, I don’t want to wake up.”
“You’re wide awake and off for the day. Dad is going to call you out.”
“Can you imagine the office ladies at school getting a call from the man himself? They’ll probably wet their pants.”
Sam laughed at his delighted expression as he did a happy dance into the bedroom, where he flopped onto the bed.
“Best day of my life!”
The twins came in, shrieking when they saw Scotty on the bed. They launched themselves at him and landed on top of him.
He wrapped his arms around them and held them tightly, ramping up the screaming exponentially. “I’ve got ’em, Mom. Come and get them.”
Sam jogged toward the bed and landed right next to them, tickling Aubrey while Scotty got Alden. They were the rare kids who loved being tickled. She’d hated it—and still did.
“We’re not sick anymore!” Aubrey announced at the top of her lungs.
“I’m so glad and very sorry I missed the whole thing.” She gathered Aubrey into her arms while the boys wrestled. “I wanted to be here with you.”
“It’s okay. We had Grandma Brenda, and Nick was here. Shelby and the kids came by, too. Maisie farted!” She dissolved into helpless giggles. “It was stinky!”
“So stinky!” Alden said.
“She’s just a baby,” Scotty said. “She doesn’t stink as bad as you guys do.”
“I don’t stink!” Aubrey said.
“You farted right on me the other night,” Scotty said. “Trust me, you do stink.”
Aubrey giggled. “That was funny.”
“Hysterical.”
As Sam snuggled with them and talked about stupid things like farts and French toast sticks, she was the happiest mother in the whole world.
“Guess what, you guys?” Scotty said.
“What?”
“Mom said we can stay home today.”
The twins looked at her for confirmation.
“But Dr. Harry?—”
Aubrey put her hand over Alden’s mouth and shook her head, giving Sam a glimpse of the teenager she’d be someday.
