“Hold my Apatosaurus. He likes cuddles and afternoon tea.”
That’s something I wasn’t expecting to hear in my lifetime. But here I am, playing with Lauren on the living room floor. According to her mother, dinosaurs are her latest obsession, and she can’t stop talking about them—case in point, Lauren has spent the last fifteen minutes introducing her “friends,” Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Pterosaur, Spinosaurus, Velociraptor, and now Apatosaurus.
I’m glad I have watched educational videos on dinosaurs to recognize most of the ones she has with her. Otherwise, I would be clueless as fuck. At least now I can ask her the right questions, like what Spinosaurus eats for breakfast (cupcakes) and if Tyrannosaurus rex can swim (only in a kiddie pool). Important stuff to learn.
While I listen to how Velociraptors poop a hundred times more than humans (at least Lauren believes so), Soph and Shannon are having a conversation in the kitchen. They’re chatting in hushed tones, but I undoubtedly know what they’re discussing. It isn’t the first time I’ve heard about their family’s money problems. It’s tough not to speak up or do anything as I want to help, but Soph has refused my previous attempts.
I keep mindlessly playing with Lauren, thinking what to do next. I could help them in more ways than one. I have resources and connections for that. If I plan it well, Soph will see how much she and her happiness mean to me.
When Lauren offers me a fifth cup of imaginary tea, the idea appears. I finish the drink, telling how great it tastes, and get up.
“Hey, I need to pop into a bodega real quick. You need anything?”
“No, thanks. We’re good,” comes Soph’s response from the kitchen.
On my way to the door, I grab one of the envelopes from the side table, pocketing it, so Lauren doesn’t see it. As I’m about to step outside, she peeks at me with round puppy-dog eyes. “I would love ice cream, Jacks.”
“I’ll see what I can do, okay?”
“I like the strawberry flavor the best. Auntie Soph can’t eat ice cream. Otherwise, her tummy hurts.”
I nod at Lauren and close the door behind me, stepping into the nippy autumn weather. I wish I had something warmer on as today seems way colder than the past few weeks. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I dial Eli’s number. He doesn’t pick up, so I try Rose next. Her bright voice makes me smile.
“You just missed Eli, he’s gone for a run in Central Park.”
“Do you know when he comes back from his run? I need his help with something.”
“In an hour or so. What’s up?”
“Can you tell him that I’ll send him the details and that he should check my texts as soon as he can,” I request.
“What are you not telling me, Jax?”
“It’s nothing, just a surprise for Soph.”
Her voice fills with more warmth. “Look at you, being all boyfriend material. I’m sure she’ll appreciate whatever you’ve planned.”
“I hope so too.”
When I get back, having texted Eli about my plan, I spend the next three hours talking about dinosaurs, eating strawberry ice cream, watching the latest kids’ hit TV show, and cracking up at fart jokes with Lauren. I soon discovered that I make the same jokes as kindergarten-aged kids.
When it’s their time to go home, I carry a snoozing Lauren to her mom’s car, and it makes me think about my little sisters. The youngest is the same age as her. Soph notices the shift in my mood and reaches for my hand as we walk back inside. As her parents are staying overnight at the hospital, she asked me to stay over another night, and I was happy to keep her company.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I realized your niece is the same age as my youngest sister. How unreal is that?”
Soph smiles reassuringly. “You did well with her, so you’ll do nicely with your sisters, too. Don’t you worry.”
“What if they don’t like me?”
“Nobody could hate you after spending more time with you. I bet those three girls will adore you more than you know.”
I give her a peck on her forehead. “Thanks for saying that, darling.”
“I’ll hold your hand when you meet them for the first time if that makes it easier.”
I laugh, but it doesn’t sound like my usual laugh. My stomach is in knots now that we’re alone. I’m weighing my options as we get comfy on the couch, ready to watch a movie before bed. If I tell Soph about the money now, at least she hears about it from me, not from Eli or Rose. But I want to wait and see her reaction once she finds out, it’s supposed to be a surprise.
