We did make it to the school, but we were ten minutes late.
Chapter four
“Yourmouthgetssmellybecause germs fart in it.”
This little piece of wisdom was delivered by Elana, who was currently in a standoff with her sister, toothbrush—thankfully sans toothpaste—raised in front of her like a sword.
“Not true.It gets smelly because you don’t brush it.”
An activity they did every morning had somehow ended up in an argument.Their dad was picking them up in ten minutes, and they were still in their pajamas and hadn’t brushed their teeth or hair yet.
“My adorable little angels, I need you to move a little faster.Your dad is going to be here soon.”
Cockalorum was impatient, and I didn’t want to be in his presence for longer than necessary, so I wanted the girls ready to go as soon as he was here.
Elana’s red-tinged cheeks expanded, but she thankfully let me steer her to face the sink.After helping her brush her teeth, I packed their toiletries into their bags, then zipped them up.
Addy disappeared into her room to hopefully get dressed, and I followed Elana to make sure she put on more than tights.
She ended up wearing a pick tutu, red tights, and a green T-shirt with Kermit the Frog on the front.I was just glad she was dressed, so I didn’t dare comment on her choices.
Checking on Addy, I found her surrounded by clothes, nervously biting her lip.“I don’t know what to wear.Do you think he’ll like my purple blouse and jeans?Or should I wear a dress?”
My heart ached at her need to gain her dad’s approval for something as simple as clothes.She’d always tried to please him, but somehow he never seemed to notice or care.
“I love you in your blue dress.Why don’t you wear that with black leggings?”
She nodded, then dove into the pile of clothes.
I left her to it, putting their bags in front of the door, where Elana was waiting, dancing from side to side.“I want chocolate.”
I found a banana that was reaching the end of its life and handed it to her.She scrunched up her nose.
I kneeled in front of her.“No chocolate for you, missy.It’s too early.If you’re hungry, you can have fruit.”
She shook her head, then ran off into the living room, where she’d probably stashed food somewhere.Sighing, I checked on Addy again.She was almost dressed.
When the dreaded knock came, I wasn’t ready.Not even a little bit.But this was happening.And I’d be fine.Absolutely fine.Everything would be A-okay.
And then there he was, together with his little walking accessory who was clutching his arm as if she was holding on to a buoy.Come to think of it, he was shaped a little like one.
The whiteness of her perfectly straight teeth was blinding when she smiled.“Where are my darlings?”
How could anyone have such a naturally high voice?
She bent her size-0 body around to look behind me to where Adelaine and Elana stood in the hallway.Neither of them moved.Instead, they held hands and looked at me with big eyes.
I waved them forward.“Come on, pumpkin pants.Your dad and his… friend are here.”
A blindingly big ring was thrust in front of my face.“You mean fiancée.”
Would it be wrong of me to open my bedroom door and let Winston and Orange out?One would attack, and the other would drool all over her expensive dress.
But I hadn’t sunk that low yet.Unfortunately.At this rate, I was sure to get there soon.
I looked at my for-now-still-husband.“I know you got engaged a while ago, but just checking, you know you’re still married at this point in time, right?”
Cockalorum regarded me with raised brows.“I’m aware.But as you know, it won’t be for much longer.”
