Page 17 of Single-Minded
Between the no-protein meal and the loads of sugar, we were in for a wild evening.
“I gotta run,” Flora said. “Gil’s waiting at the curb. Bye, girls!” She blew a kiss and took off without even hugging them.
I would never understand that woman.
All three girls talked at once, telling me about dinner, waffles, sprinkles, and God knew what else. I noticed Presley standing across the room, watching us with a smile on her face that likely covered a base of overwhelm at the sheer volume and chaos that surrounded our family of four like a swarm of mosquitos.
“Daddy, can we go to Colorado to see the mountains and feed the chipmunks?” Nova asked, jumping up and down.
“I want to go to Chicago to the giant Ferris wheel!” Scarlet said. “And shop on the Magnificent Mile.”
My brows went up as this was the first I’d heard of any of this.
“I want to see the Grand Canyon,” Sienna said with less volume but equal enthusiasm.
“Chicago has a museum with a T. rex named Sue!” Scarlet argued.
Because apparently this was an argument about where we were traveling, which was, in reality, nowhere.
“Where did all this come from?” I asked them, though it was obvious Flora and Gil had put ideas into their heads.
“Mommy and Gil go all over the country,” Scarlet said authoritatively. “They’ve been to forty-six states.”
“They told us the coolest stuff,” Nova said.
“The Grand Canyon is miles and miles and miles deep,” Sienna related.
“It’s one mile deep and miles and miles long,” her twin corrected.
“Colorado has the biggest, biggest mountains,” Nova said. “And you can ride a tram to the top and feed peanuts to the chipmunks.”
“Girls,” I said in a tone to get their attention. “Did you notice we’re not alone?”
They looked around and spotted Presley, who still appeared amused and overwhelmed.
“Hi there,” Presley said as she approached. “I’m Presley.”
“This is Scarlet, Sienna, and Nova,” I said, placing my hand on each of their heads as I introduced them. “Say hello to Miss Presley, girls.”
“Hi!” Nova said. “You’re pretty.”
Leave it to my blunt four-year-old. She was spot-on with her assessment.
“Hi, Nova. So are you,” Presley said. “You’re all three adorable.”
“I’m here for work,” I told my daughters.
“You said you were working at a big house,” Scarlet said.
“I’m working at Miss Presley’s big house,” I confirmed. “This is Miss Presley’s business.”
The three of them looked around in confusion.
“This doesn’t look like a business,” Sienna said.
“I went to dance camp here,” Scarlet said.
“This used to be the community center,” I told them. “The city built a new community center, and now this building is turning into businesses.”
