She wasn’t convinced, but she lost some of her indignation.
“Jake’s the one who taught me how to play soccer.”
Sofia’s eyes widened comically.
“You’re so good at soccer.”
“Exactly.”
She thought hard, and I congratulated myself on navigating this crisis.
“How come I don’t know Jake?” she demanded.
“He joined the army, so he had to move away.”
I didn’t think about him too much these days, though he was once my shadow. After I got a university scholarship, he dated someone who wasn’t good for him. We fought, and our friendship fizzled out after that. It was so stupid now, but time puts all things into perspective.
Vanessa interrupted my mental recriminations.
“Someone new is moving into his old house. The renter who was there moved out, and the leasing company hired Angela to clean.”
I jolted in surprise. My parents still lived in the same house where I grew up. When I was there a few days ago, they didn’t mention anything.
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “That guy has a dog who barks all the time.”
Sofia grew bored; she grabbed a juice box and returned to the living room.
“How do you feel?” I asked Vanessa. “Still exhausted?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “Now that I’m in the second trimester, I thought I’d have more energy, but not so far. I wasn’t this tired last time.”
“You also didn’t have an energetic kindergartener who’s outgrown her n-a-p, so you can’t rest whenever you need to.”
“Thank you for agreeing to watch her while Anthony works overtime. I’ll be able to work on my photo composition.”
“Of course. I’m always happy to spend time with her.”
Vanessa pressed the back of her head to her forehead and struck a pose.
“You only love me for my access to adorable children,” she proclaimed.
I snorted. It was obvious where Sofia got her flair for the dramatic.
“You bullied me into being your friend at book club long before then.”
“Bullied you? You were so pathetic all by yourself. I took pity on you, and this is how you repay me?”
“Yes, with lasagna bites and free babysitting.”
Vanessa perked up.
“You brought me lasagna bites?”
I handed her the insulated bag.
“I made extra when I was at my parent’s house because you love them.”
She ignored me as she stuffed one of the cupcake-sized lasagnas into her mouth. Her grunt of enjoyment pleased me.
