It was Khloe’s decision to refuse help from my family and her own. She hated when I asked for it and took pride in doing everything on her own, even when it made things harder than they had to be.
She took a sip of her water, then added, “But I guess you’re the cool parent. That’s why she didn’t come ask me because it’s a school night and she knew it would’ve been a hard no.”
I released a long breath through my nose. I’d rather discuss the Mrs. Nikki situation all over again than circling the constant reminder that we didn’t parent the same way.
Khloe didn’t understand that Kennedi was an only child so she needed someone in the house she could talk to without feeling interrogated. She needed someone she could come to without already knowing the answer would be no. Hell, when I was growing up and my parents or school pissed me off, I had brothers to vent to. Someone to stand beside me.
Khloe was an only child too, so making her understand that would never happen.
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out and glanced at the reminder Kemi had sent. There were two weeks left in the month and every day was packed tight.
It was all intentional since I was slowing down from work.
I just hadn’t told Khloe because I honestly wanted it to be a surprise when she’d notice that I was home for days at a time. Islid the phone back into my pocket and took another bite of food, choosing to keep that part to myself.
Kennedi came back into the kitchen a few minutes later, halfway through a bag of chips. Her phone was pressed to her ear while she laughed so loud and carefree. When she noticed her mom standing there, she paused mid-chew.
“Hold on,” she said into the phone. “I’ll call you back.”
She hung up without waiting for a response.
I laughed under my breath and Khloe rolled her eyes so hard. She hated being on the phone around her mom since she asked so many damn questions.
Kennedi walked over to the counter, still digging through the snack cabinet. Then she looked at me.
“Daddy,” she said softly, “you heard anything else about Big Papa?”
I set my fork down and pulled her into me while she melted into my chest.
“No change yet,” I said, rubbing her back. “He’s still in ICU. Stable, though.”
She nodded against me. She was the oldest grandchild and great grandchild, so she was pretty close to everyone.
“We can go see him tomorrow if you want,” I added. “Before I head out for my work trip.”
I felt Khloe’s eyes before I heard her voice.
“Work trip?” she asked with one brow lifted.
She was just smiling at us a second ago looking at Kennedi and I bond, and it was like the word ‘work’ had flipped a switch.
“Baby, it’s on the calendar,” I said, pointing toward the expensive digital display mounted on the wall. The one I bought specifically so she could see my schedule without having to ask. “I put it on there weeks ago.”
She looked at the calendar then back at me. It was obvious she hadn’t seen it or maybe she had and didn’t care enough to remember. Either way, the look on her face wasn’t too pleased.
I opened my arms anyway.
“Come here Khlo.”
She hesitated. I could see her pride fighting with her need to be close, but then she stepped into the hug, sliding under my arm while Kennedi stayed tucked on the other side.
I kissed both of them on the forehead, breathing them in.
Khloe pulled back first. “So both of y’all just gon’ leave me in this house by myself tomorrow?” she asked.
I laughed. “It’s just one night. I’ll be back around noon on Saturday. I was planning to take you on a dinner date.”
