Page 69 of Home in the Country
“No. You will keep your shit together until we get in the car. Go smile for your son and let him know it’s okay to be excited too.”
I can’t help it—I laugh. Marlee’s smile is bright as she hugs me and then spins me quickly and pushes me down the hall with a slap on my ass. That girl is a trip. Honestly, I’m too tired to do anything but follow her directions.
Briggs is still playing in his room, and he looks up with a shy smile.
“Here, Mom, you can be the blue truck.”
All of the air leaves my lungs on a relieved sigh. This little boy is all that is right in my world. Placing a lingering kiss on the top of his head, I take the truck and drop down next to him.
We sit like that for a few minutes, just crashing and making silly noises. He’s fine.
We’re fine.
But Marlee is right; I need to take care of myself too. I need a recharge.
“Hey Buddy?” His little round face looks up at me. “What do you think about you having a sleepover with Otto and some of his brothers? Mommy is going to have a sleepover, too, at Marlee’s house.”
Briggs jumps up so fast, half the precariously placed toys go flying around us as he launches into a stream of excited gibberish.
“So that’s a yes?” I laugh.
“Yes! I love sleepovers!” He does a fist pump with his little hand, and I pull him down into my lap and tickle his sides as he giggles.
“You’re going to be good for them, okay?”
“Uh-huh, and I’m big now so I can have sleepovers.”
“But you’re still my baby.” He rolls his eyes, but they’re filled with love and innocence, and the guilt of the day starts to subside. “I love you, Buddy.”
“I love you, Mommy.”
I squeeze him tight, his little arms coming around my neck, and soak in his stillness. It only lasts a moment before he’s bouncing in my lap, but it’s enough.
“Come onnnn, Mommy, let’s go!” Grabbing my hand, he pulls me up and out into the hallway. “Marleeee!”
He yells her name and then launches himself into her waiting arms.
She chuckles. “I hope you’re always this excited to see me, little man.”
“You ready for a fun night, Big Rigg?” Otto hands my bag to Marlee as Briggs dances around the kitchen.
“Yes! Sleepover!”
“We’re going to be fine.”
“I know. Briggs, give me one more kiss. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.” His smile is bright and sure, and it’s only when Marlee laces her fingers with mine do I realize I’m frozen to my spot.
“Love you, Buddy.”
“Bye, Mommy!”
“Thanks, Marlee,” Otto says with a smile.
“You got it. Night, boys!” she calls over her shoulder as she leads me out to her car and opens the passenger side door for me. Climbing in, she places my bag at my feet and then moves around to get in the driver’s seat.
The passenger window lowers, and I look at Marlee before seeing Otto jog toward the car.
