“Oh, right. I guess it’s past their bedtimes.”
We get to the door, and he opens it. before I walk through, he asks, “Jo, are you sure you’re okay? Are you running from something?”
“No.” I look up at him. “I’m not running from anything. I was just really ready to be home.”
He grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. Immediately and without warning, I start crying.
What the hell? Sometimes, girl emotions are obnoxious.
Thankfully, my brother doesn’t seem to care. He just hugs me while I let it all out.
When I finally pull away, I say, “Sorry. I got your shirt all snotty.”
“Jo, I have two daughters. I’m used to it. Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He shuts the door, and suddenly, I’m all alone in this very quiet room.
I don’t do well with quiet, so I turn on a podcast on my phone. Lying down, I prepare to listen to an unsolved mystery and play a mobile game.
But thirty seconds after my head hits the pillow, I’m out.
Chapter six
You're a Wizard
Jo
I’m awoken by a pair of tiny fingers prying open one of my eyelids.
“Aunt Jo Jo,” she whispers.
When I don’t respond, she moves even closer so that her mouth is pressed against my cheek. “Aunt Jo Jo.”
I’m doing my best not to laugh, but damn, she makes it hard.
The next thing I hear is Leah at the door. As quietly as she can, she says, “Luna, let Aunt Jo Jo sleep.”
“But Mommy! Aunt Jo Jo needs me!”
Before this can go any longer, I wrap Luna in my arms and start peppering her face with kisses. She giggles and squeals, “Mommy! Help!”
“Nope. You’ve made this bed. Now, you have to lie in it.”
I say, “The monster needs to be fed. I must kiss your face off!”
“No! I want to keep my face!”
I suddenly stop. “Okay, okay. I suppose you can keep it…for now.”
Sitting up and rubbing my eyes, I see Leah in the doorway, holding her other daughter, Sadie.
“Bring me the baby,” I prompt, holding out my arms.
“You sure? I can take them, so you can sleep some more.”
“Nah, I’m good. I just need some baby snuggles.”
She walks in, plopping Sadie in my lap.
