“PB&Js with milk and crisps.”
“With milk and crisps!” I exclaimed, looking over at Chris who just shrugged. He was truly amazing. Somehow, he’d managed to do the impossible. Keep Noelle not only distracted but entertained while I was down and out for the count, and wewere stuck in the middle of a blizzard. Not to mention, he didn’t really seem like a kid-friendly kind of guy with a secret stash of children's books and toys to help pass the time.
“You’re very lucky, Noelle,” I pointed out as I rose from the mattress, wobbling on my feet like a newborn deer.
“And I’m winning!” she exclaimed, showing me a handful of what looked like money.
“What are you playing?”
“Monopoly.”
“Monopoly? Do you know how to play?” I was shocked. I’d never played with her before, I thought she was too young, but it seemed not only was she playing, but she was enjoying it.
“Chris is teaching me. I’m really good.”
I shook my head. My daughter did not lack confidence, something I hoped never changed. I’d rather be raising a bossy, independent girl than one who the world was going to bite in the ass. At least this way she had a fighting chance.
“Are you now?”
I folded my arms over my chest and watched as Chris swallowed deeply. I hadn’t realized that my lack of a bra meant my nipples were pointing through my shirt and Chris could see everything. The worst part was, I felt them tighten under his gaze.
“I am. Look at all my money!”
“That’s great, sweetie.”
“Did you want to play? You can be the iron,” Noelle suggested, and Chris snorted. Noelle was clueless about what she’d said that was funny, but we got it. “Chris is the battleship and I’m the top hat.” Noelle was grinning so wide I couldn’t help but smile. Then she picked up her top hat and pretended to put it on her head. When she bounced to her feet and walked the weirdest walk I’d ever seen with her top hat on her head, I completely lost it.
“Sounds good, I agreed. I’m just going to run to the bathroom then I need to get something to eat …”
“I’ll make you something,” Chris offered, setting his handful of money down and pushing to his feet with a groan.
“I’ll help,” Noelle offered.
Even though I could do it myself, it seemed like they wanted to do it. Chris was already pulling slices of bread from the bag and Noelle had a knife in her hand. Not wanting to derail their plans, I offered a quick “thanks,” before ducking out the door.
I was just pulling my pants back up when the light bulb above my head flickered.
It came on and then went off just as quickly as it had appeared.
Then it flickered again.
The third time, it took, and suddenly I was standing under the harsh fluorescent lighting, blinking wildly, trying to adjust my eyes.
I should’ve stayed hidden in the dark.
When I glanced in the mirror I recoiled in shock. I looked like some troll out of one of Noelle’s books. My hair was everywhere. My eyes were sunken and lined with dark black bags. My lips were chapped. Not to mention the crusted drool in the corner of my mouth. I was a mess.
Splashing water on my face, I tried to pull myself together but wasn’t having much luck. Without a hairbrush or more importantly, a toothbrush, I didn’t have much of a chance. And while I still looked like roadkill, at least the cold water made me feel a bit more alive.
I finished washing up and hurried back into the office where Noelle was packing away the game.
“What are you doing?” I asked, disappointed I didn’t get to join in.
“Mom, the lights are back,” Noelle pointed out, and I nodded.
“Now we can have real food,” Chris added. “And coffee.”
“Oh my god, coffee.”
