He continues to speak with a full mouth. “It’ll drive my teacher crazy when a not-ugly nanny shows up to pick me up.” God, his single teacher who lays it on thick at parent-teacher meetings.
“Not a nanny,” Lexi reminds us all again, her tone now exhausted from her repeated memo to the table.
Lori shakes her head and grabs her cell phone that somehow made it out of my discipline attempt. I said it was only for communication to textonefriend for the night before taking it back. But that plan went to hell when every kid her age uses their phones for everything, and it’s my lifeline to connecting with her.Lori is perhaps my biggest challenge as of late, but she’s also not, because her stubbornness and independence are good attributes as she grows older. It’s just… can’t she give me one clue that we’re alright? At least before boys enter the picture? Give me an opportunity to save up a little energy before we have to deal with the teenage chapter?
Lori doesn’t even part from her screen. “As fun as this little conversation is, I’m sure ourguestis aware that my room is off-limits.”
Lexi quickly answers, “Of course. Besides, I have no plans to be here every second of the day, so do your thing. I’m only sitting here right now because pizza seemed like a way to refill my strength and hopefully bring back reason.”
I’m on board with Lexi’s humor, it means not a dull moment that isn’t exhausting. My hand slides across my face, not allowing myself to think any more about Lexi as I deal with my daughter. “No, Lori? Can’t even be polite for maybe three minutes?”
She studies Lexi up and down, then she grumbles before sliding off her chair. “I’m going upstairs. My nail polish color doesn’t match my outfit for tomorrow.” Off she goes with her signature hair flip as a statement. I hate it, as much as I try to suppress a smile that wants to form. My daughter has a backbone.
“Great conversation,” I call out and unenthusiastically give myself a little fist pump. Glancing to Lexi, she offers me a pained sympathetic look.
“Will you make me a peanut butter sandwich for school lunch tomorrow but use cashew butter?” Harry plays with the cheese on his pizza.
“Why cashew butter?” I’m confused, he loves peanut butter.
“Because Mrs. Crawl said it’s a new school rule in the email you should have read that we need to use cashew or almond butter because of allergies.”
I snicker as I see Lexi contemplate that logic. “Sure, let me dig it out of the pantry.”
“What a bummer. They’re ruining a classic American sandwich,” he groans.
I reach over to nudge his arm with my fist. “How about we make peanut butter and jelly cheesecake soon?”
His face instantly lights up. “Really?”
“Yeah, it’s the only thing I know how to make, and lucky for me, it happens to be my son’s favorite.” I smile because it does the trick every time. It’s a pain to bake because it takes hours, but I always knock it out of the park. Not even sure how I found the recipe in the first place, but it’s my golden ticket. “Anything else?”
He shakes his head, still smiling. “No, I’m going to go read my book now.”
“Sure, kiddo.” I’m both relieved and sad that we’re past the whole storybook and tuck-in phase. It was a time drain, but now I’m wishing I could turn the clock back. Those were guaranteed moments of bonding. I watch Harry leave as I recall it all.
It’s only when I hear a stifled laugh that I turn to see Lexi desperately trying to suppress a laugh.
“Yes?” I wonder what the hell could be so amusing.
“No offense, but your kids are hysterical and are totally giving you a hard time because they can. I even have a feeling that one of them will add something awful to my morning coffee, and still, it’s kind of funny.”
“Are you serious?” Lexi nods up and down in response as she stands to collect plates. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Oh yeah? You know where the dishwasher is?” Her joke causes me to break out in a smile. “By the way, what is this sorcery of peanut butter and jelly cheesecake of which you speak?”
I follow her in clearing the table and head straight to the sink with pride on my face. “It’s my gateway to happiness for children and adults. If you haven’t had it yet, then your life isn’t complete.”
“It sounds delicious and the last thing that would have been on my radar of what to expect from you. But peanut butter squishes all doubts.”
“As it should. You know, I… have no clue why I’m dragging you into this.”
Maybe it’s a game? Everything in my life might feel like a mess, but this is a fun escape I still deserve. Except I’m not sure where our blue line is. Flirtation is okay, but crossing the lines, probably not.
Lexi clears her throat, breaking me away from my thought. “Can I ask, Holden?” She seems to hesitate, and I think I know where this is going. “I know that you were married and the divorce was kind of ugly, but…”
Grabbing a kitchen towel, I turn to lean against the sink. “It was more than ugly. Michelle was, well… a bitch, to put it bluntly, and I don’t use that word lightly.”
Her lips roll in then her boldness returns. “Was it always that way between you two?”
