“Is that okay with you?” Her voice cuts through my thoughts.
I look her way, wondering how long I’ve been staring at my coffee mug.
“I’m sorry. What?”
“I was just saying I’m going to take Jemmy to the library for story time this morning. I wanted to make sure it was okay with you.”
“Right.” I shake off the fog and bring my coffee to my lips. “Yeah. That’s fine.”
“Thanks.”
I turn from her and head to the table, like I usually do.
And like she usually does, she slides a plate full of pancakes in front of Presley before placing one in front of me containing eggs, toast, and sliced fruit.
But instead of joining us, she heads back to the sink, cleaning the dirty pans and bowls.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” I ask, placing a napkin in my lap.
“I already did. You guys enjoy some time together before work and school.” She gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
Then she slips out of the kitchen.
The air instantly shifts. Like something essential has been removed.
I look down at my plate, then back toward the living room where she’s picking up the toys I never got to last night. She moves efficiently. Quietly. Like she’s trying not to take up space.
When I turn back, Presley is staring at me with something that looks a lot like accusation. As if she knows I somehow fucked up.
I did, but I’m not about to get into the details with my seven year old.
“Looking forward to school?” I ask her, clearing my throat.
She narrows her eyes, giving me pure attitude.
God help me when she’s thirteen.
Sensing I won’t get much response from her right now, I shift my focus to Jemmy. “Excited about story time?”
He points to Rowan’s empty chair.
“Ro-Ro.”
“Yeah. She’s taking you to the library.”
“No. Ro-Ro.”
“She already ate, bud.”
“Ro-Ro.”
I drag a hand down my face and mutter under my breath, “I’m just batting a thousand today.”
Presley snorts.
Not the reaction I was hoping for, but at this point I’ll take it.
I slice into my eggs and eat faster than I usually do, just so this awkward breakfast can be over.
