“Are you about to tell me something bad?”
Jesse froze as he scooped a mound of chocolate ice cream into a bowl.
“No. Why would you think that?”
Jesse left the bowl on the counter and rushed over to his niece.
“When Mom told me she was sick, I had ice cream in the afternoon too.” Her eyes went to Jesse before she dropped her gaze to the table.
“Hey, look at me.” He crouched in front of her. “I’m not going to tell you anything bad. I just thought it would be good to talk. Emily is here a lot now, and I know that while you love her, you must have some questions.”
She shook her head. “No, I love having Emily here. I didn’t think that made her my aunt, but I guess that makes sense.”
“I’m your uncle Jesse’s girlfriend and your friend.” I scooted my chair closer to her.
“Grams said you were Uncle Jesse’s girlfriend when you were in school, and you probably would be again soon.”
“Of course she did,” Jesse sighed, cutting a look to me.
“I wouldn’t mind if you were my aunt.” She shrugged at me with a tiny smile playing on her lips. “I love having you here. Reading at night is more fun with you. Uncle Jesse tries, but it’s not the same.”
“I’m sure it’s not, and I understand why. Your mother and I used to argue about who got to spend more time with Emily, so I get it.” He grinned at me and squeezed Maddie’s shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t have any questions? You can ask us anything.”
“No. Everything is better when Emily is here. I always wondered what having two parents would be like.”
Jesse winced at me, and I nodded back. As a child of a single mother with no recollection of my own father, I was sure I felt Maddie’s observation deeper than Jesse did. While that washeartbreaking to hear, to Maddie, it seemed to be just a fact. I didn’t believe getting used to our new dynamic was the root of her sullen mood today.
“So why the long face?” Jesse asked. “You looked like something was bothering you today.”
“I guess I’m sad soccer is over,” she mumbled into her hand.
I wasn’t convinced, but I didn’t want to press.
“It’s never really over. Maybe the season is, but remember, you and I can play whenever you’d like.”
She nodded and pushed away from the table.
“I’m kind of full. Can I play my game now and have ice cream later?”
“Sure.” Jesse studied her face. “Come down if you change your mind.”
We both watched her trudge up the stairs, not looking back at either of us.
“I don’t think that’s about soccer,” he said, his gaze still lingering on her departure. “I try not to think about it, but she’s still just a little girl who lost her mother.”
“I don’t think it’s about soccer, but it could be. I’m sure missing her mother is harder on some days. As long as she knows she can talk to us, we just have to wait until she’s ready.”
“Every time I catch her like that, I bring in something else that’s purple. That’s how she has that beanbag thing.”
I laughed and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“It’s not the worst coping mechanism. And she knows she can talk to you. I think she will when she’s ready.” I kissed his cheek. “Now that we’re not going to have ice cream, I’ll head upstairs and change. Hopefully I have enough clothes here before I do laundry at my apartment tomorrow.”
Jesse grabbed my hand when I shifted to leave.
“You know my closet is half empty. Why don’t you just keep your clothes here?”
I arched a brow. “Like, all of them?”
