Page 71 of Vince
Okay… how do I respond to that?
Seeing this subject is a slippery slope, I quickly change it. “You may be sick of us, but would you want to stay for dinner tonight?”
“I could be persuaded…” she singsongs.
Before I can respond, I hear Julia call out from my room, “Sydney?”
“I’m here,” Sydney calls out and immediately, we hear the pattering sounds of tiny feet rushing through the house.
“Unks! You’re home,” she gushes as she runs into my arms for a hug.
“Hey, squirt. Did you have fun today with Sydney?” I ask as I set her back on the floor.
“Yes!” she boasts. “I had the best dayever!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” I protest. “I thought your best days were reserved for me.”
“But she made pancakes and grilled cheese in one day, Unks! And we got to watch my favorite movie.”
“I see how it is.” I pretend to pout.
“Oh, Unks…” she says on a huff. “What are we gonna do with you?” Just like her mother would say.
When I look to Sydney for help, she’s caught red-handed trying to stifle a laugh.
“I see how it is!” I roar as I tickle Julia. “Syd’s your shiny new toy, and I’m just your old boring Unks. Traitor! You’re a traitor, I tell you.”
Julia giggles between gasps of air and protests, “No… No… you’re not boring, Unks.” Big gasp. “Really…” gasp. “Not…” giggle, “Boring.”
Putting her back on her feet, I smile triumphantly. “That’swhat I thought.”
“So besides having sooo much fun, were you good today?”
“Yes, she was,” Sydney insists.
“Good to hear,” Vanessa chimes in, and I turn in surprise at her voice from the hall.
“Momma!” Jules rushes to greet her. “I had the best day today. Can Sydney babysit me again?”
Vanessa chuckles. “Well, that’s up to her.” She looks to Sydney and shrugs. “But your daycare called, and you’re back to business as usual tomorrow. The pipes are fixed, and they miss you.”
“Okay…” she draws out as if she’s not quite convinced but isn’t about to argue either.
“What are you up to tonight?” Vanessa asks Syd and me as she sets Julia back on the floor.
I look to Sydney who simply shrugs.
“I’m thinking about taking Jules to the movies for a Momma date.”
“Really?” Julia squeals. She’s been begging for a date with Vanessa for the last week or so, but with the tournament and excess crowds, she hasn’t had the time.
“Yep. Go get your shoes on, and we’ll head out for dinner first.” When Julia rushes off to her bedroom, Vanessa turns to us. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all,” flows off my lips with ease.
Having the house to myself with Sydney sounds perfect.
Of course, this only causes Vanessa to laugh in my face. “Don’t sound too eager to be rid of us.”
