Page 28 of Steadfast

“Got it.”

“I’m building a bed for my Barbies,” Aisling announced.

“I told you—” Ronan glared at her. “You’re not keeping my Legos in your room.”

“Whatever,” Aisling muttered.

“Have fun?” Saoirse asked, looking up from her book.

“Yeah.” I smiled. “We got tacos.”

“Good.”

“So,” I said, drawing the word out as I looked at each of them. “Who wants to pop some popcorn, pull out the board games, and turn on a movie?”

“Okay,” Aisling replied halfheartedly.

Ronan just stared at me.

“I get to pick the movie,” Saoirse announced, immediately getting to her feet.

“Something appropriate.”

“Not Pride and Pit-stains,” Ronan added.

“You know that’s not what it’s called,” Saoirse replied haughtily.

“A cartoon would be good,” I called out as she left the room.

“We’re too old for cartoons,” Ronan informed me as I helped him scoop the little blocks into his tub.

“You can’t outgrow cartoons,” I argued. “That’s like saying you’re too old for ice cream.”

“Peoplearelactose intolerant, you know.”

“Are youallergicto cartoons?” I asked dryly.

“She better not pick a princess movie,” he mumbled, ignoring my question as he scrambled to his feet.

Once he’d raced out the door, I looked at Aisling, who was still building her bed.

“Gonna watch a movie with us?” I asked, gently shoving her upturned knee.

“Mom said she’d play a game with us,” she replied quietly, not looking up from her project. “And then she didn’t.”

“Cian told me.”

“He was really mad.”

“Yeah, I know.” I got comfortable on the floor.

“He was yelling at her.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Maybe if he was nicer—”

“Nope,” I said, cutting her off. “No. It’s not Cian’s fault or Ronan’s fault or Saoirse’s fault, or my fault. It’s not your fault, either. Mom does what she does because she wants to.”

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