“Me seeing Theo is important too,” Izzy said.
“I know,” I told her. “Maybe Theo can come over in a little bit and help decorate? She can stay for dinner and cookies and eggnog.”
“Fa-la-la-la,” Izzy said.
I flashed her anI’m trying my best herelook.
She stared at me, her brown eyes so like my own it was startling sometimes.
“I even have some of that vegan eggnog she likes so much,” I said.
This was apparently enough of an olive branch. Izzy dropped her backpack, slouched down into a seat at the table, and looked at Mark and me. “So do we have an agenda for this meeting, or what?”
We all took seats at the dining room table. Mark made a steeple with his hands, pressing his fingertips together so hard his fingers were bent. “We’ve got something important to talk about with you two,” he announced.
“Whaisit?” Olivia asked, mouth full of cookie.
“Gross,” Izzy said as she tilted back in her chair, balancing on the two back legs. “Chew and swallow first, dumbo.”
“We have some news,” Mark announced. He looked at me, then back at the girls, then at me again. “It’s very sad news, but happy news also.”
“What is it?” Olivia asked again, eyes huge.
Izzy just looked suspicious and characteristically annoyed.
Mark gazed at me expectantly, clearly waiting for me to take over.
“Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “you know I went to New York to see your grandmother. She’s very sick.”
“Grandma Mavis?” Olivia said.
“Of course, dummy, that’s the only grandmother we have,” Izzy said.
“But I barely even remember her,” Olivia said. “I don’t know her. Not really.”
I looked from her to Mark.
“Well, you’re going to get the chance to know her,” Mark said.
“I am?” Olivia asked.
I nodded. “She’s going to come stay with us. Isn’t that nice?”
“Here?She’s going to come here?” Olivia asked.
“Yes,” Mark said.
“But I thought you didn’t even like her,” Olivia said, snapping the head off her gingerbread mouse.
My stomach twisted into a knot. “Of course I do. I love her. She’s my mother,” I said.
Olivia frowned at me. “Then how come we never see her?”
“She’s very busy,” I said. “And she travels a lot.”
“I thought it was because she’s a total bitch,” Izzy said.
“Language, Isabelle!” Mark warned again, voice raised and face stern.
