* * *
“So where is everyone?” I ask looking around at the empty place settings.
Jesse, Ella, and Cody all missed church this morning, which is very weird.
Mom puts the last dish on the table before sitting down. “Well, I know Jesse and Ella had a rough night with Cora. And Cody…I have no idea.”
Dad looks at her. “What’s the date?” he asks, and it hits us all at the same time. April 25th. This day seven years ago waswhen Bree walked out on him on their wedding day.
Mom sighs, like she’s so disappointed in herself for not remembering. “I should call him.”
“No,” Dad says. “Don’t. Just let him be. He wants the space.”
“I don’t know if space is good in this instance,” Mason mutters.
Wesley turns to me. “What happened?”
“His wedding day.”
“Oh. Right.” Wesley nods and reaches for a drink.
Cody never shows much emotion, but every year on the anniversary of what should’ve been the best day of his life, he sorta just disappears. I’m not entirely sure where he goes…the bar maybe? We don’t ask.
After Dad prays, the front door opens and Jesse comes around the corner . He’s wearing a sweatshirt, jeans, boots, and a baseball cap. The car seat is slung over his forearm with Cora inside, a pink blanket over top, and she’s wide awake.
Mason opens his mouth first. “Well, you look like hell.”
Wesley snickers beside me and I try not to laugh as well.
“Mason,” Mom scolds as she stands. “Ella resting?”
Jesse nods his head. “Yeah, she was up more than me. Someone didn’t think they needed to sleep more than twenty minutes at a time.” He looks down at saidsomeone.
“Cora, that’s not how it works, sweetheart,” Dad leans to the side to talk to her. She smirks.
“Well, sit down and eat. I’ll take her and then you go lay down,” Mom suggests, and Jesse doesn’t argue. He sits down and serves himself.
While we eat, Jesse rambles on about how the last few nights have gone for them. I guess I didn’t realize how often babies woke in the night as they got older. I thought it was just anewborn thing. The only baby I really have to compare her to is Caden, but he’s way older, and I’ve never watched him overnight or anything.
“When will she sleep through the night?” Wesley asks him.
Jesse huffs. “If you find out, let me know.”
Laughs bubble out of everyone around the table. I look over at Cora, sound asleep in the bouncy seat behind Mom. Of course she’s sleeping now.
“Depends on the baby,” Mom tells Wesley but then looks to Jesse. “You and Cody were good sleepers. Mason, not so much. And Addison…” She looks at me. “Don’t even get me started.”
“Well, when will we be able to put her in the crib, shut the door, and not be bothered until the morning?” Jesse wonders.
“Six,” Dad interjects.
Jesse’s eyes widen. “Six years?!”
“No, Leonard.” She shakes her head. “I remember it was toddlerhood, for sure. However, everyone’s different.”
“Good Lord, help us.” Jesse groans.
Mason leans forward and looks past Wes to me. “Remember how we used to fight over who got to sleep in Mom and Dad’s bed?”
