“I wish Grady was here,” Madison said. “He loves spaghetti. Except he puts that stinky cheese on it.”
“It’s parmesan,” Robbie said, not looking up from his book. “Freshly grated.”
“Yeah, that.” Madison switched to a pink crayon for Barbie’s dress. “When’s he coming back?”
“Tomorrow,” I said, stirring. “I think.”
“Mommy’s date was at the hospital,” Madison said.
“The doctor?” Robbie asked, looking up from his homework.
“Yes, we ran into him,” I said quickly. “When we were having lunch.”
“Interesting,” Robbie said.
“What’s interesting about it?” Madison asked.
“How did you know I’d gone on a date with him?” I asked.
“I figured it out on the way home,” Madison said.
“Are you going out with him again?” Robbie asked.
“No.” I left it at that. But of course my inquisitive children wouldn’t take the hint to drop it.
“Why not?” Robbie asked.
“No spark,” I said.
“You have a spark with Grady,” Madison said. “Grace told me everyone knows you love him the most.”
“Everyone?” My chest tightened. I did not like the idea that the kids were talking about Grady and me. Not that I should be surprised since five fourteen year olds had decided to put us on a dating site. “Robbie, what does she mean?”
“Just what she said, Mother. Everyone knows how you feel about Grady. Not everyone knows how he feels about you, however. That is only me.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, sharper than I meant to. “Did he say something to you?”
“Nothing.” Robbie returned his gaze to his textbook.
Before I could ask him for clarification, Madison piped up. “I want Grady to be my daddy.” She said this while coloring a Barbie’s car hot pink. “Like how Alex is Grace’s daddy now. And Vance is Margot and Mia’s daddy.”
I paused, holding the wooden spoon aloft, a sick feeling coming over me. “Madison, it’s not that simple.”
“Why not?” Madison asked.
I stirred the sauce harder than necessary. “Adult relationships are complicated.”
“But why? You laugh so much when you’re together. I don’t get it.” Madison shook her head, like an old, wise woman instead of a six year old. “You should be together all the time.”
“They’re both too stubborn, Madison. At least so far,” Robbie said.
I turned to look at him. “Excuse me?”
He kept writing. “Nothing.”
“Robbie. What do you mean by that?”
“Just that it’s obvious.”
