“Icanseeyourredboob ring.”
Elana’s words rang through the small theater.
My face heated and my hand twitched with the need to hold Elana’s mouth closed before she said anything else.
I’d finally caved and bought a new bra this morning, bringing her with me to the store.All my old ones were too big and had given up their will to live, barely hanging on.The fabric was stretched, some had stains, and others that used to be white were now a sickly shade of gray.
Bra shopping was low on my list of priorities.Not only because it took time I didn’t have, but also because I didn’t enjoy doing it.Not even a little bit.
Pulling my cardigan that had slipped down one shoulder back up, I smiled at the mom who sat next to me.She glared, then turned away with a huff.
“It’s called a bra.And you can only see my strap, pumpkin pants.”
Thankfully, the lights dimmed, and her attention was drawn to the stage where a bunch of five- and six-year-olds would soon be dancing.
After twenty minutes, Elana was getting restless, climbing all over me and whispering loudly in my ear.But I didn’t want to risk stepping outside only to miss Addy’s performance.
So I stayed put, wrestling with Elana while simultaneously watching the stage.
When the little trees finally made an appearance, I sat up, turning Elana to face forward.“Your sister is up soon.”
She’d told me she was one of the flamingos, and they came right after the forest scene.
And then there she was, tiptoeing onto the stage, her little arms flapping.We weren’t allowed to take any photos, but I snuck a short video, ignoring the disapproving huff coming from my left.
Pride swelled in my chest at seeing my eldest so happy and confident.There was a little line on her forehead, one that only appeared when she was concentrating on something really hard.She’d been dancing through the living room for the past few months, practicing her steps, so I knew them by heart.But watching her perform was beautiful.I never thought I’d get emotional watching kids dressed as flamingos hop across a stage, but I was frantically wiping my eyes.
Thirty minutes later, the curtain dropped and I sent up a silent prayer.Elana had fallen asleep shortly after Addy’s performance, and she was getting heavy.Securing my youngest in my arms, I followed everyone out of the theater to wait for the kids to come out.
When I spotted my daughter, I rushed up to her—well, I moved as fast as I could without dropping Elana—and leaned to the side to kiss her.
“You were amazing, ladybug.”I noticed a small cut on her eyebrow.“Did you fall and hurt your head?”
Head down, she shrugged.“Kayla did a cartwheel and hit me in the face.”
Kneeling, I adjusted Elana, then studied Addy’s face.“I’ll put some disinfectant on it when we get home.”
The cut was fairly small, so I didn’t think it needed glue.
“There she is.”
The high-pitched exclamation was my only warning before the walking accessory barreled into my side, nearly knocking me over in her haste to get to Adelaine.
Once I’d found my balance, I stood up.Cockalorum was standing off to the side, attention on his phone.
Adelaine glanced at him, the corners of her lips turning down farther.“Hi, Daddy.”
Cockalorum glanced up from his phone and gave her a tight smile.“Hello, Adelaine.Nice dancing.”
Dismissing her, he turned back to his screen.
The walking accessory pushed a bunch of roses into Addy’s arms.“These are for you.”
My daughter’s face and half her body disappeared behind the bouquet.
The walking accessory wasn’t done, it turned out, because she pushed a rectangular-shaped gift at Addy.“I have another present.One that matches mine.”She held up her wrist with a delicate rose-gold watch attached.“Open it.”
Not sure how Addy was supposed to do that since holding the flowers required both her arms.
