Abby nodded and drafted out a menu for the rest of the week and the grocery list for it.
Olivia finished her cereal, rinsed her bowl and spoon, and put them in the dishwasher.
Abby bit her lip. Hopefully Olivia wasn’t doing all these things to be on her best behavior or because she thought Abby would kick her out if she did anything wrong.
“I’m going to take a quick shower before Will wakes up,” Abby said.
“Okay. Can I watch TV?”
“Of course.”
They were going to have to have a conversation about Olivia asking permission for everything. Rules were important, but so were expectations. Olivia was still so nervous and defensive. It was going to take time for her to feel completely comfortable. She was feeling Abby out as much as Abby was feeling her out, but having some ground rules would help.
She showered, forgoing washing her hair for one more day. Will wasn’t in her bed when she left the bathroom. She dressed quickly and grabbed her cell from the nightstand, knowing he’d probably sweet-talked his way into eating in the living room in front of the TV. Sure enough, he was at the coffee table, eating and watching a kids’ show.
“Will. What is the rule?”
His eyes widened as he tried for a look of innocence. “Olivia said I could.”
“But you know better. The rules don’t change just because there’s someone else here. At the counter or the dining room table.” She tilted her head in that direction.
“But Mommy?—”
“William. Now, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up his bowl and carefully carried it into the kitchen.
“He’s—”
Olivia was paper white, curled up in a ball in the corner of the couch, tears streaming down her cheeks and a look of stark terror on her face.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “He said he was allowed. I thought it was okay.”
“Olivia.” Abby took a step toward the couch. Olivia curled in on herself even more.
Abby stopped. “Livie, honey, I’m not mad. I didn’t think to tell you he needed to eat in the kitchen. I should have told you.”
Olivia’s gaze darted from Abby to the hall. Shit in a handbasket—what had those people done to her? She wanted nothing more than to pull her in a tight hug and tell her it would all be okay. But she knew Olivia wouldn’t—couldn’t—take the comfort in her current state.
“I’m going to go into the kitchen with Will,” she said softly. “When you’re ready, why don’t you join us and we’ll talk about our plans for the day, okay?”
Abby didn’t wait for a response. Olivia needed space and time. Lots of time.
Will was slurping the last of his milk from the bowl and several drips slid down his chin onto his pj top.
He lowered the bowl and smacked his lips. “Ah.” And burped.
“What do you say?” she asked.
“Dee-licious.”
Her lips twitched. “Excuse you. I think you’ve been spending too much time at Timmy’s.” His best friend was the fourth of five boys. Saying their house was hectic was putting it mildly.
“Go wash your face and get dressed, Bubs. Pj’s in the laundry.”
“Okay.” He hopped down from the stool and looked at her. “Did I get Livie in trouble?”
Jeez, this kid. She squatted so they were eye level. “No, Baby. She isn’t in trouble. But you know the rules. It’s not nice to trick Livie, okay? She doesn’t know all the rules yet, and it scared her when she thought she was in trouble. You have to help her until she knows what’s allowed and what’s not. That’s a really big job—do you think you can do that?”
