Page 70 of The Infiniteness of Yesterday
I don’t bother telling her to slow down. I've told her countless times not to run in the house, but it hasn't worked.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask.
Spencer shakes his head. “Nah, just grab a drink if you’re thirsty.”
I swipe a fresh ginger ale from the fridge and sit down at the small kitchen table. Spencer appears at ease, like he’s always been here as he moves around tending to things.
A few minutes later he sets a bowl in front of me. “Eat up.”
The soup smells delicious and since I’ve barely eaten anything today my stomach decides to come to life and rumbles loudly.
Spencer smirks. “Someone’s hungry.” He turns to Monroe where she’s moved on to brushing the hair on one of her dolls. “Do you want some soup, Roe?”
“Ew, no. Vegetables are nasty. I want dinosaur chicken nuggets.”
With a sigh, Spencer plants his hands on his hips and looks my way. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah.”
Sometimes, it’s not worth having the fight with your kid—besides, little does she know, her dinosaur nuggets include veggies.
He finds the nuggets in the freezer and spreads a serving of them out on a pan before putting the oven on to preheat.
Turning around, he leans against the counter to face me. He’s just opened his mouth to say something to me when keys jingle at the door and Jameson enters.
“Oh,” Jameson blurts, looking at Spencer in surprise. “You’re still here.”
Spencer swallows and there’s no mistaking the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I made my mom’s veggie soup for Harlow. Thought it might help her feel better.”
Jameson looks between Spencer and me and shrugs. “That was nice. How are you feeling, babe?” He strides over to me and presses his hand to my forehead. Across from me, I don’t miss the flinch Spencer gives at the term of endearment.
“Much better. Just tried,” I reply.
His hand falls back to his side, and he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You’re working too much. You’re getting run down.”
“That’s what I told her,” Spencer pipes in and I glare his way.
Jameson chuckles. “She’s stubborn.” Straightening, he says, “Since I’m here now you can go. I’ll handle it.”
The emotional pain on Spencer’s face feels like a knife straight through my heart. “I was going to make chicken nuggets for Roe.”
“That’s okay.” Jameson waves a hand dismissively. “I’ll get it done for her.”
I know Jameson isn’t trying to purposely rush Spencer out the door, but I’m sure to Spencer it feels that way.
“Okay.” Spencer smooths his hands down his shirt. “I … uh … I’ll go then. Roe? I’m heading out.”
“You’re leaving?” she cries out, throwing her doll on the ground. “No, Daddy. Please, stay.” She wraps her arms around his legs. “Don’t go.”
“I need to.” He ruffles her hair. “I’ll pick you up in the morning if you want me to.”
“Okay.” She seems satisfied by this development. “I love you.”
He picks her up and she wraps her body around him, clinging on like a little koala. “I love you, too.” He squeezes her tight before setting her down.
“Bye,” he says, heading for the door. “I hope you feel better, Harlow.”
“Thanks for coming and thanks for the soup.”
