“Even if that means dating your troublesome cousins.” Curiosity wins out. “Why do you call them the Spawn of War?”
“Because they’re my cousin War’s kids. And they never stop brawling or breaking things. Not to mention their names are too hard to remember for most everyone.”
Wait. “They’re brothers?”
“Oh, yeah.”
But not one of them resembles the other. They’re different heights, weights, and body shapes, not to mention their different skin colors and facial features.
“My aunt only wanted to give birth once, so they adopted the boys.”
Oh, why didn’t I think about that? Max said he’d tell their mother. I thought he meant their individual mothers, not a collective group.
“Their family will be at dinner Sunday.”
Um, what? “I thought you said this was a small gathering.”
“It is. It’s just Sunday dinner with the family.” She grins.
Why does that give me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach? Which Dash proceeds to kick before letting out a loud wail. “Is it time for your pre-dinner snack?”
***
“Dash, we need to stop at the market on the way home. You’ve been gobbling down your formula. Are you going to have a growth spurt soon?”
He kicks my abdomen with his little feet and gurgles.
“I’ll take that as a yes. You’re almost old enough to start on baby food. I should stop by the doctor’s office and see if you’re ready. Would you like to try some mushy peas?”
The gurgle in response is even louder this time.
Thankfully, the market is right near the bakery, so it only takes a moment to pop in and grab what I need for Dash and some fruit for the basket. Maybe Daria will eat some of it in a smoothie. She doesn’t get enough nutrients from the shakes she tends to drink most of the time.
The sun is starting to set on Willow Street. Unlike sunrise, there’s a hive of activity at this time of day, regardless of the cool weather. The kids don’t like to be cooped up inside. I cut through a park on the way to my apartment and find Max sitting on a bench staring out into space. He’s in a completely different world.
And that world isn’t a good place to be.
You should walk past. If he wanted company, he would have gone to the bakery or any one of his dozens of relatives.
Max obviously wants to be alone.
He looks so sad and lost.
Can I let him sit there alone in another world suffering?
I should. “Hey there.” I smile at him. “Hope already went home with her cousins.”
“Oh. Okay.” He barely looks up and doesn’t make a move to leave.
Whatever happened is bad.
Very bad. I sink down onto the bench next to him, setting my groceries down and adjusting Dash’s blanket.
He shoves the blanket down to get a better look at the world before settling his head on my chest.
What I want to ask is, what happened? But questioning a person rarely helps in situations like these. Giving them space and letting them feel supported is the best path.
But it’s pure torture sitting here quietly waiting.
