It takes a few days to get Lucy to agree to another date. At least this time I came prepared with chicken nuggets.
She throws open the door, and I immediately know something is wrong.
“I’m so sorry to do this, but I completely forgot about the monthly PTO meeting tonight and I’m the teacher liaison, so I have to be there… in fifteen minutes. I need to help set up and all the girls are going too so they can’t watch the boys. I’m probably going to have to bring them with me, and they’re going to destroy half the school because Levi is a sneaky little ninja and never stays in the gym with the rest of the kids, and then Micah wanders off looking for him, and they always end up getting into something they’re not supposed to. And they haven’t eaten yet, which means we’ll have to stop for food and that’ll make me even later. And it’s a school night, and this meeting is going to run long because we have to figure out all the details for the St. Patrick’s Day program and the Easter egg hunt. And then they’ll get to bed late, and Micah is a bear in the mornings when he doesn’t get enough sleep?—”
“Go,” I say, cutting off her spiraling. “I’ve got them. We’ll be grand here.”
She’s stunned speechless for several seconds, blinking at me before she speaks. “Are you sure?”
“Course. I’ve watched Micah before, that’s how we met. And I brought nuggets.” I hold up the grocery bag in reassurance.
“Are they dino-shaped?” she asks, putting on her coat.
“Does the shape matter?”
“Does the shape matter?” she scoffs.
I can tell she’s still warring with the decision to stay so I decide to take matters into my own hands.
“Mikachu! Levisaur!” I call out toward the living room, getting their attention. “Want to have a boys-only night?”
“Yeah!” They both cheer in unison, and I tilt my head and shrug, giving Lucy a “Well, that’s settled” look. “Guess you’re going to have to go to your meeting after all. It’s a girl-free zone tonight.”
“No girls allowed!” Levi yells.
“You heard the lad,” I say as I help her finish pulling her coat on before leaning into her ear. “We’ve got this.”
She searches my eyes for permission one more time and then grabs her purse and keys, running over to kiss the boys. “You be good for Mr. Mike, okay?”
“Yes, Mama,” Micah says.
“Make sure they’re in bed by eight,” she says as she answers her phone. “I know, I know. I’m on my way.” She looks at me one more time, but I usher her out the door and close it behind her.
I take the bag of groceries to the kitchen and set them down on the counter right as Micah walks over.
“How’s the arm doing?”
“It feels okay, but it’s itchy.”
“Casts can get quite itchy and stinky. Are ya getting it off soon?” I ask as I pull items out of the bag.
“I think so? What’s all that?”
“It’s dinner. Want to help?”
“Yeah!”
Micah is the perfect sous chef, grabbing everything I need as soon as I ask for it. He follows directions well. Levi runs in and out of the kitchen helping us with parts until he gets bored. I was worried they wouldn’t like what I’d prepared, especially after Lucy’s dino nugget comment, but my fears ease each time I catch Levi sneak in and steal an item off the tray.
“This is so cool,” Micah says, placing the last bowl of dip down to complete our masterpiece. I snap a quick pic and then grab plates.
I’ve turned my back for less than ten seconds, and when I turn back around, I swear half of the nuggets are gone and there’s dip everywhere. It’s a huge mess I’ll have to clean up later, but I don’t say anything as I slide the plates to the side. If they’re going to eat straight off the tray, so am I. I’m also a tiny bit terrified that they’ll stop eating if I make any sudden movements, so we eat in near silence asPaw Patrolplays in the background.
Once we’ve nearly demolished the platter of food, I pull out my phone and text Lucy.
Here’s a pic of our dinner. You’ll be happy to know they cleaned their plates. Actually we ate straight off the tray, so less dishes to clean.
[pic of nuggets, fruits, veggies, and dips arranged in the shape of a rainbow.]
