Page 24 of Married to Number 22
A good question.
But another one for later.
Because my mom has picked up another pastry.
God help us.
I swear, I didn’t mind the solo celebration becoming a joint one, especially since it meant more time with Luns and she never minded hanging with my family before. But this isn’t helping me endear myself to my tiny tornado, isn’t helping her stay so I can get to the truth of what’s bothering her, isn’t helping me keep her close enough for us to figure out who and whatusis.
“Mom,” I say, allowing a bit of sharp into my tone. “Enough with the pastries. We’ve all eaten our body weight of muffins and turnovers. Consider our birthdays celebrated. Now, I want to hear about you guys.”
My dad, who spends most of his existence zoning out and seemingly dissociating from my mom’s chattering, slants me a warning look.
Telling me to be careful.
To not take it too far with my mom. To be respectful and considerate.
I’m reading all that loud and clear.
But I’m also not going to allow my mom to run roughshod over Luna—or to continue doing so, anyway.
I love my mom.
But she’s a handful and a half.
A sliver of amusement slides through me.
Because…kind of like someone else I know.
Someone who’s been on their very best behavior as my mom forces her to devour carb after carb.
Thankfully, my dad doesn’t get on me like a teenager with an attitude problem, just takes my mom’s hand and the look they exchange has her putting down the next weapon—er, pastry.
“I want to hear about your cruise,” I say, taking advantage of my dad’s intervention. “And Carrie”—I turn to my sister—“are the girls in town?”
“No,” she says. “They have school.” A wry smile. “If I’d known about the show, though, I definitely would have brought them.” Her eyes flick to mine. “They would have loved it.”
My temple throbs.
I’d forgotten.
That Carrie can be a handful too…along with her two preteen daughters.
I shake my head.
“What is it with all the women in my life wanting to torture me?”
“Maybe it’s your pretty face,” Luna chimes in.
And I smother a groan.
Because I’m surrounded on all sides by troublesome women.
Only…why do I kind of love it?
Ten
Luna
