“Good.”
Josephine opens her front door, causing the hinges to squeak while bouncing Steven on her hip. “I’d come outside, but Steven just got out of the bath.”
“Em.” Steven grins at us and waves with his entire body as he squirms against Josephine like he’s going to fly to us.
“Steven, they’ll be inside in a minute.” Josephine nods to Mira as Steven’s bottom lip pokes out.
Mira shakes her head. “I’m so glad Jake arrested that jerk. I remember him from back in school. He was always a jerk to the kids in the lunch line. There’s a lot you can tell from watching kids getting their trays. Who the friend groups include. Who dislikes who. Who’s sneaking around their girlfriend or boyfriend’s back with someone else. Who’s a drama queen.” Her jaw clenches. “Who the assholes are.”
Mira worked in the cafeteria at school for as long as I can remember. She was always kind to everyone. Even the jerks.
“Don’t get yourself worked up.” Bella joins me beside Mira’s car. “Dom will have my butt if you get upset, and I don’t talk you off the ledge.”
“You’re right, Dear.” She relaxes her shoulders and grabs Bella’s hand. “I don’t know what I’d do without my boys. And now, you.”
I retrieve Grace from the car seat and snuggle her to my chest. I understand that sentiment entirely.
“Ruby, what do you have under your arm?” Josephine asks from the top step.
“Goodies for Mackenzie.” She grins at Josphine. Squirt is sporting a red shirt with the phrase, I Love Bacon, on the back. There’s a string tied around his neck and waist to keep the makeshift garment in place.
“I’m assuming you mean what’s in the bags, and that you aren’t gifting her a pig.”
“I’d never give Squirt away.” Ruby laughs as she scratches the pig’s head.
I kiss the top of Grace’s head, inhaling the faint scent of baby shampoo that remains from this morning’s bath. It’s barely there after all the chaos of the day, but just that tiny whiff is enough to settle my nerves a little.
“I probably stop holding you guys up.” Mira tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and focuses her attention on Bella. “Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.”
“What’re you guys working on?” I shift Grace higher in my arms to ease the tension in my upper arms.
“With everything going on, I forgot to tell you, Mira is going to manage Chloe’s Bakery here in town. Jolie’s old place.”
“I saw you there the other day.” I can’t imagine Mira not being at the school, but I’m happy for her. She deserves to do something that excites her more than cardboard-tasting pizza and cold macaroni. “That’s exciting. Do you need help? Jake and I can–”
“Don’t even think about it,” Ruby and Bella say in unison.
Right. Grace and I were held hostage this morning. But it’s so hard to shift off the automatic tug to help everyone out.
We chat for several more minutes as other neighbors pass by, stop, join in the conversation, and eventually, we’re left alone.
“Let’s get this stuff to Mackenzie.” Ruby turns on her heel, and together we climb the front steps.
Josephine stands in front of the door with her foot wedged against the bottom edge. “No pig.”
“Mama.” Steven braces his chubby hand on his hips. “That not nice.”
“Pigs aren’t potty trained,” Josephin says with her foot still braced against the door.
Ruby’s eyes narrow. “Squirt is part of the family. I promise if he makes a mess, I’ll clean it up.”
“This is ridiculous,” she huffs while opening the door and stepping out of the way. “Put him in the kitchen so Steven can play with him.”
“Yes!” Steven slides to the floor and raises his hands toward Ruby. “I take.”
“Now, be careful.” Ruby hands off the pig to him. “He’s still little.”
Before anyone else can say anything, he’s running through the house, giggling and talking to Squirt like he understands everything he’s saying.
