“Ethan, you’re scaring them,” I said, coming into the kitchen. Ethan’s hands were slammed against the counter, he was leaning towards his son menacingly. Obviously, he wasn’t- couldn’t be angry at them. He just didn’t know how to react and was taking it out on the wrong people.
I went over and put my hand on Ethan’s shoulder. He glared up at me, saw my hardened face and relaxed. Standing straight he ran his fingers through his hair and swore.
“Dallas, I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to get so angry at you. None of this is your or your sister’s fault. It just scared me a little. Did you tell an adult he was there?”
Dallas shook his head quickly, his eyes were showing fear. I scowled. Ethan may have just done something irreversible. Dallas may be too afraid to ever tell anyone again. I looked towards Jimmy, who was silently crying.
“We knew he was bad. We told him to go away!” She said, hopping off her stool and running from the room. Ethan swore again and hurried after her. Dallas crossed his arms and shook his head.
“It’s going to be okay. Your mom and dad are going to get it all sorted out. If you see him again though, tell an adult,” I said gently, yet firmly.
By the end of the week Ethan and his family had been granted the restraining order. If Christopher violated it, he would be arrested. Hopefully that was enough to deter him. What was he thinking? I mentioned this to Cleo after lunch the next week and she just shook her head.
“He’s not thinking. He’s insane. I never understood it. He never really loved me, but now that I finally realize it, he can’t leave me alone. He used to be gone for weeks a time. When he was home, he was abusive mentally and sometimes physically. Something’s just-” she trailed off. “Not right.”
After our regular scheduled lunch Cleo claimed Tot wanted ice cream. There was a great little parlor right down the street, so we decided to walk there. I noticed quickly that Cleo was now waddling more and more. It was adorable. By the time we made it to the shop she was out of breath.
“Ugh, I do not know if I can do two more months of this. She is ridiculous,” she groaned as she put one hand on her belly, the other on her back.
Once she caught her breath we entered, and her big brown eyes grew even larger. I hadn’t realized that was even possible.
“Mmm… mint chocolate chip,” she mused as she waddled up to the counter. She gasped and turned back to me.
“I would kill for some blue moon!”
When I shook my head with confusion her jaw dropped.
“You have never had blue moon ice cream?”
“Sorry. I’ve never even heard of it. What is it?”
She turned and pressed her back to the glass, sighing deeply. Her eyes closed and she licked her lips.
“Pure Michigan deliciousness.”
I laughed and suggested we get something else.
“Next time we are visiting we will all go out to get some. How about a banana split?”
She frowned but turned back to the man at the counter.
“Triple scoop of mint chocolate chip, smother it with chocolate syrup and put it in a waffle cone.”
The man chuckled, looking from her to her bulging belly.
“Now that the baby has ordered would you like something miss?” He joked. She giggled like a little girl and moved to watch him make her sweet, cold, treat.
After he handed her the obnoxiously oversized cone, he looked over at me.
“And for you?”
I looked around and nothing really stuck out to me. I mentioned it and he asked if he could surprise me. I looked over at Cleo who was shoving her ice cream in her mouth.
“Do it!” She paused long enough to exclaim excitedly. I gave him the go ahead and he told me to close my eyes. I turned around while he did his magic.
“Okay, here you go miss!” The man said. I turned around and started giggling myself. He handed me a black waffle cone, with two scoops of light pink ice cream. It was topped with lilac sprinkles and a single, pink, frosted animal cracker.
“I love it!”
