Page 2 of Enchanted in Time
“No, I want to spend my afternoons with the kids. They’re still so young, especially Emi and Leon. And at ten years old, Marco is hardly independent.”
Ines laughed. “Don’t let him hear that.”
Hannah took off her green apron, hung it on the hook, and reached for her bag. “Well, I have to go now and pick up Leon from kindergarten. If I’m late again, the teachers will take it upon themselves to extend the contract, and I’ll have to pay an extra 100 euros a month.”
“All right. At least summer vacation starts next week.”
Hannah nodded and waved at Ines as the shop bell was already jingling.
“Where are my soccer jersey and socks?” Marco came tramping through Hannah’s bedroom, where she was crouched on the carpet, surrounded by old children’s clothes and examining the small garments. As if the chaos weren’t already enough, he rifled through the laundry and tossed the T-shirts and socks around carelessly. “I’ve got practice soon. Have you forgotten, Mom?”
“Of course not! Try taking a good look through your closet!”
Marco stormed out of the room as Emi came bursting in, with Leon right behind her. The two of them directed their big brown eyes—so much like their father’s—toward the pile of clothes. “Why did you take out my baby clothes, Mommy?”
Hannah wound her long, dark-blonde hair into a messy bun. “We’ve been invited to Lena’s baby shower today, and we need a gift.”
“You’re not seriously planning on giving her used stuff, are you?” shouted Marco from his room.
“I did buy a cute pink onesie, too. But this dress of yours, Emi—Lena just loved it, and you’ve only worn it once.”
Emi gazed in shock at the pink dress embroidered with white flowers, snatched it out of her mother’s hands, and held it to her chest. “You can’t give away my cute little dress, Mommy!”
“It’s just that the onesie is not enough!”
“Why don’t you buy something?” Leon asked in his high little voice.
“Because by the end of the month, we never have any money left!” Marco yelled, answering for her.
“We don’t have any more money left?” Emi asked, startled.
Hannah pulled her daughter toward her, set her on her lap, and caressed her shoulder-length blonde hair. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Mommy can manage.”
The doorbell rang. Hannah rolled her eyes as Leon and Emi were already running to the door. “It’s our neighbor, Mommy!”
“Who else?” Hannah rolled her eyes again, got up from the floor, and walked to the apartment door, where her kids were already greeting the portly elderly lady. She was wearing her usual red cardigan and running her fingers through her large gray curls, which she undoubtedly put up in rollers at night.
“Hello, Mrs. Meyer—there you are! What are you doing at home with such beautiful weather today? Don’t you want to take the little ones to the playground?”
Hannah inwardly rolled her eyes again. Of course, she would rather be out in the open air with her kids. But her old neighbor clearly had no idea how exhausting being alone with three children—all with different needs and different school, kindergarten, and practice schedules—could be.
“We’ll be going out later,” she replied evasively. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve just come back from shopping, and I’ve brought something for the little ones!”
Leon and Emi were jumping up and down in the hallway.
“That’s very nice, but you really don’t need to bring something by every day?—”
“Oh, but I enjoy it.” And with these words, the elderly lady conjured three chocolate bars from behind her back.
“That’s awfully generous of you, but one bar is really enough.”
“That would be asking for trouble, my dear Mrs. Meyer. I remember that from when I was that young.” She winked at the two little ones and placed the three bars in their outstretched hands.
“Thank you!” the children exclaimed in unison.
“If there’s ever any need, Mrs. Meyer, I’d be happy to look after your little angels. I know how hard it must be with three children all by yourself.”
