Page 12 of The New Year's Party
“Yes!” cried Tessa. “Wediddecorate them, Daddy!”
“Well, you could have fooled me! They look professional!”
“Maybe we could start a cookie stand,” said Mackenzie. At ten years old, she was his tiny hustler. “Like a lemonade stand, but for the winter.” She pointed to his fax machine. “We could make copies of our advertisement and give one to all the neighbors!”
“Look at you, Miss Entrepreneur,” he approved, ruffling her hair. “That’s my fax machine though. The copier is over there.”
The girls were precious, as always, and of course he was always happy to have them stop by the store, but... He was coming home in just another couple hours so that he and Jenn could get ready for the party, then make the three-hour drive to Michigan City, with an hour gained on the time difference. Why his wife felt the need to stop by when he was about to be home—
His train of thought crashed.
The computer.
The browser, minimized but still open.
His heart sank.
Jenn saw his expression and smiled tightly. She lowered the tissue, revealing a patch of bright red. “I was just googling traffic for our little road trip. Looks like it’s all clear. My mom texted. She’s almost at the house.”
He didn’t have to ask if Jenn had seen the search he’d had open.
“If you’re having second thoughts, if you wanted to stay home with the girls...” he said, hating himself for how weak he sounded. He had de-escalated a conflict with an armed man just minutes ago. He had been tactful. Smooth. Diplomatic. A familiar anger fisted in his stomach. In the world outside his home, he was stable. But in Jenn’s hands, he was a yo-yo. From weakness to anger. From wondering if he was better off dead to being incensed enough to kill...
“No! Unless you’re having second thoughts?” said Jenn with a concerned expression.
“Actually... I wouldn’t mind going alone.” His voice came out as mild as ever. “It’s a long drive... I know how tired you’ve been lately...” He gave her a long look. Surely, she could read between the lines.I know you don’tactually wantto hang out with these people.I know you’re just coming to be my watchdog. For God’s sake, leave me alone for one night.His left eye started to twitch. He resisted the urge to touch it.
“And leave me all alone on New Year’s Eve?” Jenn pouted. “Girls, what do you think? Should Mommy stay home, or go on a special date with Daddy?”
“Stay home!” shouted Tessa while Mackenzie said, “Go on a date!” and Vivi squealed and clapped her hands.
“Oooh, Mommy, since it’s an overnight trip, can we do what we did last time when you left me in charge?” said Mackenzie.
“First of all, you won’t be in charge,” Will began. “Your grandma—” He paused. “Wait, what last time?”
Hope surged. Was Jenn leaving their ten-year-old in charge of her younger two siblings? This could be exactly what he needed. For Jenn to make a dangerous misstep—do something reckless with the kids—
“When I was little,” said Mackenzie, scrunching her nose. “I think five?”
Will deflated.
Jenn tilted her head. “That was when you started telling me about your dreams. Remember? And you said they were like movies in your head. Such a cute way to think about it.”
“No—it was real movies!” protested Mackenzie. “Don’t you remember, Mom? It was the best night of mylife. You said as long as I was in charge of myself and didn’t wake you or Dad up with my nightmares, I could watch all our Disney movies. It wasawesome. I watchedCinderella... Peter Pan...”
“Mackenzie,” said Jenn reprovingly. “You’re giving your siblingsideas.”
Tessa sprang to life at this prompt. “No fair, I want to watch movies too!I’mfive!”
“The arguing stops now,” barked Jenn. She didn’t handle it well when the girls bickered. “I don’t want to hear another—”
“Tell you what,” interjected Will. “When Mom and I get back from our big party, we’ll schedule a movie marathon.FrozenandFrozen 2! How would you all like that?”
“Fwozen!” cried Vivi.
“I want popcorn!” demanded Tessa.
“So wearegoing to ourbig party?” said Jenn. “You’re not backing out on me, Mr. Fair-Weather Feelings?” Her tone came out teasing, but it entered Will with all its intended cruelty.
