Page 7 of Deprived No More

“How are the kids?” she asks.

“They’re good. The boys faked feeling bad until I told them their medicine had to be given rectally.”

“Oh, you didn’t.” She giggles.

“Yes. Yes, I did.” I recheck her forehead and find her body temperature has dropped significantly. “You feel a little cooler. Was it the Tylenol, or did you take a cold shower?”

“I think it was the Tylenol,” she answers with another yawn.

“Come say goodbye to the kids, and I’ll get them off to school so you can rest.”

“Nick. I’m going to be fine,” she says with an almost knowing smile. “I love you for fretting, but you have a busy day.”

“Never too busy for my girl.” Pulling Kat into me, I place a kiss on the top of her head before heading to the bathroom to change. “Tell Grace I’ll be out in a few minutes. I’ve got their breakfast on the counter.”

Turning the ignition, four sets of eyes staring back at me in the rearview mirror, I start the journey toward their school drop-off. Luckily, Olivia’s daycare is right around the corner from the school, but it’s in the opposite direction from St. Luke’s. Turning out of our drive, I notice Susanna walking their dog along the main road. I slow down and lower the passenger side window.

“Susanna, hi. I was wondering if I could ask a huge favor?”

“Oh, certainly, Nick. Good morning.”

“Good morning. Katarina came down with something overnight. I think she’ll be fine, but her fever worries me. Would you mind checking on her? If I try and call between patients, and she’s napping, I know it’ll get the best of me.”

“Of course. I’d be happy to. I’ll bring her some chicken noodle soup later. I’ll call to let you know she’s okay.”

“Thank you. That really means a lot to me.” Letting out a heavy sigh, I relax, knowing someone is nearby if she needs anything.

“You have a good day at work, and don’t worry about a thing.”

Giving her a brief wave, I continue toward town. I need to make a better effort to get to know this couple. They seem like the perfect family. Their girls are homeschooled, and the family is incredibly polite and respectful. They don’t have a bunch of loud visitors at their place in the evenings, allowing us to get our children to bed at a decent hour.

“Is Mommy going to be okay, Daddy?” a worried voice asks from behind me. Are they always this quiet in the morning?Hell. Have I scared them with my concerns about Kat?Looking into the rearview mirror, my eyes connect with Grace’s concerned expression, the other three mimicking her troubled features.

“Guys, Mommy is going to be fine. She’s always so busy taking care of you and me that I wanted someone to check in on her since we’ll be at school and work. She wouldn’t want us at home making a fuss over her instead of doing what we need to do today. But Lilly and Annabelle are homeschooled, so their mom will be with them and can check in on Mommy. Please don’t worry.”

“I’m going to make her a card in art class today,” Grace interjects, warming my heart a bit.

“Me too,” Mason yells out.

“Me three,” Logan adds.

“No! I’m thwee. You five,” Olivia shouts in complete disgust.

Now that’s the rowdy bunch I’m used to. I’m feeling better already. “Okay, eat those bananas and chocolate chip muffins before we get to the drop-off line, and you wish you had.” I reach over to the car’s entertainment system and find a kids’ pop station and watch as Olivia starts kicking her legs in time with the music. There. At least they seem more relaxed about their mother now. I need to watch how I react in front of these little human sponges. You forget how they soak up every little thing you say and do at this age. And just like with their dad, Katarina is their whole world.

Kat only works a few days a month outside the home. She’s the one constant in their life. Sure, I’m not on the road away from them for days at a time. Yet my schedule isn’t as accommodating as it once was. It’s times like these I’m all too aware of how precious family life is. Looking back into the rearview mirror, I see Mason and Logan playing thumb wars and Grace looking out the window as she chews her makeshift breakfast. Olivia clutches her raggedy tan stuffed bunny under one arm as she reaches her chubby little fingers into the sandwich bag with the other. Her legs continually swing from her car seat in sync with the kids’ version of Taylor Swift’s, Shake it Off. I’m so incredibly grateful for these kids. But I admit, I’d be lost without Kat.

Pulling into the roundabout at the school, I wait in the well-ordered drop-off lane, inching forward as each of the cars in front of us unload their precious cargo.

“Grab your backpacks. We’re almost there. Either Grandpa or I will come and get you later.”

“Grandpa!” two loud boys and a squealing three-year-old yell out.

“Thanks a lot,” I snort.

“Grandpa will bring treats with him.” Grace giggles. “Don’t take it personally, Daddy.”

“Thanks.” I laugh again. Leave it to Dad. He’d almost accepted never having grandchildren, so I don’t fault him for his chance to spoil them a little.

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