Page 27 of Bobby

“Leprechauns, huh? Tricky little buggers.”

“Just like my girls.” She smiles as she slides into the car.

Chapter 11—Willow

“I love you, Mommy.”

My eyes pop open as I turn my head to look down at Lily. She’s coloring in her new book, with new markers beside me on the new blanket.

Yes, I splurged. A lot.

Last night, the girls and I had our traditional pampering session, and when I asked them what they wanted to do this weekend, Ivy said she wanted a makeover like in the movie. After explaining that she didn’t need one because she was already pretty, the idea of doing a makeover on the entire house came to mind. Nothing too extreme—no new furniture or anything heavy to move. But new bedding? New clothes? New shoes? A few fun things for each of them, and a picnic set? Okay, the picnic set might have been a little extra, but we were on a roll. I even bought the girls actual Halloween costumes this year. We usually make something or reuse something for their school trick-or-treating event on the holiday, but this time we spent the money anyway. No surprise, we’re all going as princesses after our favorite movie, though with some personal style. Which means we bought fancy dresses and tiaras. Not practical at all, but it makes the girls smile. Me, too, if I’m being honest. A sparkly dress that flares out when you spin can do that to a girl.

We were all so in the spirit of making our home feel prettier that we were enabling one another. For the first time, I wasn’t worried about prices. That doesn’t mean I went shopping in the city or anything, though. Target was more than enough for us.

After we dropped off our new items at the house, we took the picnic set and went to the deli down the street. We filled it with goodies and then took a short bus ride to one of the better parks Ivy and Lily adore. I also like it since it has trees lining it, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the forest while still getting all the sun you want on a beautiful day like today, as there isn’t a single tree in the middle. The playground is covered in giant overhanging tarps, so nothing ever gets too hot to touch, and they usually keep most of the snow off when we hit the winter months.

Ivy is racing after some kids she made friends with, and I’m enjoying the sunlight after a very yummy pastrami sandwich as Lily colors.

“Love you, too, baby.” My girls and I never hide our feelings. We say what we feel, and when we’re happy, we share that with words of love.

“Do you think Mr. Bobby can let us ride in his car again?”

I laugh. “What? Is the car service he provided not to your liking?” One week and my girls are already expecting the finer things in life.

“It’s not that. It’s just that his car is like a spaceship with the seats facing backward. The cars we get in all face front.”

I shake my head, but she doesn’t see, still focused on her picture despite talking to me. The car service Bobby provides us is a very safe SUV, which I appreciate for all the airbags. I might have looked it up after I figured out what the car was and who would be taking the girls from school to their after-school programs every day. Marco sat me down and introduced the girls’ driver, Mary, someone he said he trusted completely. With his approval, I was okay with his choice. Marco takes protection to the next level, and I don’t doubt his sincerity in keeping my daughters safe, even if it’s just a drive here and there.

And the girls? They feel like royalty every day when someone picks them up and escorts them to their very own car before driving them to their programs. Then I pick them up, and we all ride back home together. Mary doesn’t speak much to us, but it’s not her job to. I know she cares for the girls, as they always tell me she has snacks waiting for them in the car and never complains about the crumbs like their father used to.

I shake my head to rid my mind of my ex. He always puts me in a foul mood, and I refuse to let him spoil my day.

Ivy runs over and flops down, throwing her arm over her eyes and breathing as if she ran a marathon.

“Tired, baby?” I say as I run my fingers through her hair and subtly check her forehead temperature with my hand to make sure she’s not overdoing it. My girls are active, but sometimes they push themselves too hard and end up catching a bug. I’m not a doctor, so there’s no actual scientific data behind it. All I know is after a day of running around, I can count on one or both coming down with some sort of sickness that lasts a day or two. Until a doctor can dispute that, I’ll take my history with them as proof enough to go to CVS to get some cold medicine soon.

Ivy just nods as Lily sits up.

“Can we go home now? I want to put my new bedding on my bed.”

“And I want to try on my princess dress again,” Ivy says, and Lily nods enthusiastically in agreement.

Finding something both girls liked was harder than expected. But they were able to compromise when I said we could get different pillowcases for each, so it felt more like they got their own special side of the bed.

“Of course, sweetie.” I check the time. “If we pack up quickly, we can catch the next bus.”

Both girls jump up, knowing how to react fast to a bus schedule, and with little effort, we make it to the stop just in time.

As expected, the bus isn’t packed, as most New Yorkers walk when it’s so nice out. I learned early on as a mother that if there’s a way to make transporting toddlers easier than dragging them around, forcing them to walk, then I’ll take it.

“Sorry, folks, but I won’t be able to stop at station twelve. The police won’t let anyone through. Those looking to get off can exit now.”

“What’s going on?” Ivy asks as we stand a stop ahead of ours.

“They blocked off the road and won’t let the bus through. We’ll have to walk,” I say as I make sure all our items are in our hands and get the girls off the bus.

“But why?” Lily asks as she jumps over each sidewalk crack we pass. Which is a lot.