“He didn’t show up for the birth of his own kid. I doubt we’re going to have to worry about seeing him at holidays,” I’d replied with a tired smile.
So, I’d muted the thread and moved on. Was it worth the hassle to decline and block him on this app? It wasn’t like I was delivering to his new girlfriend. I was going to get tipped to see my own family. Surely, there was a fun anecdote in that. I made sure it was my last stop before I turned off my order requests.
I waved at my family’s doorbell camera with roses and chocolates. “Hi. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Mom’s voice came through the little device. “Oh, Tori, you’re so sweet to drop by. And in such a cute outfit! But your father and I are out for dinner tonight.”
“You are?” They hadn’t had a date night since Jen got pregnant. “Are Jen and the baby with you?”
“They should be home. I’ll text and let her know you’re here.”
“I can knock,” I said.
Dad chimed in. “Don’t do that. The baby might be napping.”
“Ah, thanks for the warning.” The last thing I needed was my sister’s wrath. “Love you both. Have a happy Valentine’s Day.”
“We will,” Mom said.
A few seconds later, Jen answered the door while holding her baby close. “Hi.” She frowned at the package. “Did you get those for me?”
“No.” Did that make me a bad sister? “I think they’re from your baby daddy.”
“Oh.” She began to reach for them, but the baby fussed. My sister studied her baby's scrunched, perfect face for another second, then stepped back into the house. “You know what? You can keep them.”
“I can what?”
“Keep them. I won’t eat the chocolates, and those flowers will just be another thing to take care of,” she said matter-of-fact.
“Okay.” I shuffled awkwardly in place. Was their dating relationship finally over? “I guess I’ll be going then?”
She hoisted the baby higher on her hip. “You know, if you did want to give me something, you could babysit.”
“Do you need to take a shower?”
“No.” She recoiled at the insult and sniffed herself. “I showered this morning.”
“Then why would I babysit?”
“Because you could be a good sister and aunt and give me a break,” she said slowly, as if it was obvious.
“I am good. I helped deliver that kid,” I joked, wiggling my head to amuse the baby with my headband. Newborns could barely make out shapes, but this one tracked the movement in wide-eyed wonder.
Jen scoffed. “Fine. Just go, then. I’m sure you have a hot date with your boyfriend.”
Ah, there she went pushing me away again. And it would be fine. But just in case this was a result of a tough first holiday as a singleparent, I offered her an olive branch.
“I’d be happy to hang out once the baby develops more of an immune system. But it’d be for a visit, Jen, not to babysit.”
My sister nodded and looked at her baby before shutting the door. It was up to her if she wanted to open it again, knowing I wouldn’t be her doormat.
Besides, I had enough to do at home. I started dinner, threw in some laundry, and prepped a fondu platter for Angel and I while playing an old black-and-white movie in the background.
The jingle of keys pulled my attention to the doorway where Angel strode in.
“Hey, pidge,” he said.
“There’s my angel. How was your shift?”
