“Penelope reads at a college level. She’s already taken several college classes at Coastal State University,” Addy says as she enters the room.
“I should be able to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in less than two years. But I won’t.”
My brow wrinkles. “Why not?”
“Because there’s no one to drive her to all the classes she needs to attend in person. I do the best I can, but…” Addy trails off with a shrug.
And she obviously feels guilty for not driving Penelope to her classes more often. Which is utterly ridiculous. She sacrifices her time and energy for her siblings. More than anyone else I know would do. And yet she doesn’t think she’s doing enough.
“Are you ready to go?”
Addy bites her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I should have messaged you. I have to cancel.”
“Why? What happened? Is everything okay?”
“Mom picked up an extra shift. Otis has football practice and a pizza party. There’s no one to watch my sisters.”
“I can watch myself. I don’t need a babysitter,” Penelope declares.
Addy fists her hands on her hips. “And what happened the last time I left you alone with Mila?”
“It wasn’t my fault.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Mila found a fox and decided to bring it home and make it her pet? It wasn’t your fault the fox chewed through the plumbing under the sink and the kitchen flooded? It wasn’t your fault he peed and pooped everywhere in the house?”
I bite my tongue before I laugh.
Addy glares at me. “Don’t you dare laugh.”
I raise my palms in the air. “I wasn’t.”
“But you want to.”
I shrug. “It’s kind of funny.”
“It’s funny when you don’t have to smell fox urine.” Her nose wrinkles. “It is the foulest smell in the world and I changed the diapers on these two.”
“Addy killed Foxy!” Mila yells.
Addy growls. “I did not kill Foxy. I returned her to her natural habitat.”
Mila stomps her foot. “But she was my friend.”
“Who shat all over the house,” Penelope mutters.
“Now do you understand why I can’t leave Penelope and Mila alone?”
I kiss her cheek. “I understand.”
I don’t like it. But I understand.
“We can reschedule.”
“No need.”
Hurt flashes in her eyes. “No need?”
“There’s no need because I’m not going anywhere. We’ll have a Netflix and chill night.”
