Sylvie weeps and kisses Micah’s cheeks.
“Thank you,” she says through her tears. For the first time, she looks at Rip with gratitude, not disdain. “Thank you so much.” She hugs the baby to her. “I’ll never forget this.”
“Mom, I don’t want to go back with Daddy and mean Grandma. Tim can’t breathe over there, and they made me take care of Micah,” Eva complains. “Daddy is mean.”
“You won’t be going back,” Ripley says.
“I still think you should beat her ass,” Cori whispers to me as I watch. The older kids leave their mom and run to Rip. He lifts Tim off his feet, and Eva wraps an arm around his leg.
“Say thank you to Uncle Ripley, kids,” my mom orders. Hearing her call my husband their uncle should warm my heart. I do love the kids, and I’m glad they are home. Whatever I think of Sylvie, they should be with her rather than their father, but the title angers me. We’ve been married six weeks, and Mom never referred to him as Uncle Ripley before today. It seems rather convenient.
“Thank you, Uncle Ripley,” they recite in unison.
I walk up the steep driveway. Cori takes my elbow to help me while Selene walks close to me. It’s a chilly afternoon, and in my haste to get here, I forgot to get a jacket.
I stand before my mother and sister, crossing my arms. Micah cries. He’s filthy and is probably in a soiled diaper.
“I need to speak to you both,” I say, unsmiling.
My mom’s smile falls.
“I have to clean and feed Micah.” Sylvie won’t meet my eyes.
Ripley throws an arm across my shoulders. Looking up at him, I gently tap his cheek. He seems relieved and bends down to kiss me.
“You should be at home resting,” he whispers. “Why did you two bring her here?” he asks Cori and Selene. “I count on you to help me.”
“Eden threatened to call a ride share,” Cori says in her defense.
“Or walk,” Selene adds.
“Really?” I ask my wife. “Woman, I swear to God.”
“Cori and Selene, can you guys take care of Micah?”
Cori's eyes nearly bug out. “But he looks like his diaper is about to start leaking.”
“Change him, Cori,” Mom orders.
“You want me to wipe his little asshole?” Cori is horrified, and despite the situation, I chuckle. “You take him, Selene.”
“Why me? I don’t want to change a diaper.” Selene looks around, while my mother rolls her eyes.
“I’ll take him.” Rip’s friend snatches him from her arms and rocks him. “Show me where his things are. I’ll take care of the little stinker.”
Cori and Selene go inside with them, and the four of us are left alone.
“What the hell is this?” I ask.
“Thorny,” Ripley begins, but I hold my hand up.
“I’m asking my mother.” I pat my husband’s chest. “Let me handle this, okay, baby?”
He nods and gestures at my mom.
“Levar took the kids and wouldn’t give them back, so I asked Ripley to go and get them.” My mom talks fast but still won’t meet my eyes.
“How?”
