Page 72 of Holding You
No response.
I rise slowly, ready to catch the two of them doing something they shouldn’t. I’ve learned the hard way that silence is never good. They might be older now, but that means nothing when a kid becomes curious.
“Max?” I call out this time and wait at the bottom of the steps.
Possibly three seconds go by before his head pokes out of one of the bedroom doors.
“Yeah, Dec?”
I stand taller and place my hands on my hips.
“What are you doing in your mom’s room? Is Susie in there?”
It’s one thing for Max to be in his mom’s room, but Susie doesn't need to intrude on Ruby’s space like that. Not when Ruby isn’t home to make the official decision.
His head disappears and then Susie’s pops out.
Just her head and neck.
They are definitely up to something in there.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She squeaks and her instant answer is all too telling.
“Come down here.” I nod and step back so she can stand in front of me.
Susie rolls her eyes and then disappears.
“Susie, now. Max, you too.”
Am I allowed to parent him?
Ruby said she’d be only a few minutes.
I think I'm good.
Both kids finally emerge, hands behind their backs. Like two deer in headlights, they stare at me.
“What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.” This time the squeak is from Max.
It’s when they try to slink down the hall, turning their backs away from me that I grow more serious.
“Show me. You can’t go into Ruby’s room and take things that are not yours.”
“But I think these are supposed to be ours. One is blue and one is purple,” Max defends. “Like maybe an early birthday gift.”
Shit. They were snooping.
“Then you really shouldn’t take it. If it’s a gift, she should get to see you open it, bud.”
I hold my hand out.
“Now, hand it over and go play outside like a couple of normal kids.”
The kids share a look and then sigh as they both hand over the toys they stole.
