Page 66 of Love is Strange
“Girls! Come eat,” I yell when I don’t hear footsteps ascending the stairs. A few minutes late, the twins finally come walking into the dining room.
“Hey Mom. Where's Dad?” Baylee asks, grabbing a plate.
“If you were listening when we got home, Mom said that he would be here later.” Breann snaps.
“What's with the tone? Are you okay?” I ask. “There's no need to be rude to your sister.”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just tired. I have more shifts this week and tons of things to do.”
“I can understand that. You are a lot like me, I took on too much too. If you need a break, don't accept the shifts.” I add in, trying to help out as best I can without stepping on the toes of my moody teen.
“She wants the extra money, Mom.” Baylee sighs, rolling her eyes.
“For?” I question them both, unsure of why she would need extra money when she knows she could just come to us if she were short for something.
“I'm hoping to save enough by the end of summer to buy a car.” Breann replies proudly.
“Well then, save away. I won't stop you. You've got plenty of time.” I smile and kiss her head as she sits down at the table. “Dad will be home later tonight. The District Manager needed a ride back to the airport and he elected your dad to do it, so it’s just us tonight.”
“Glad I’ll be in bed. Not going to hear about that bitch fest when he gets home.” Baylee laughs, reaching for another roll.
“Stop it, he just hates the traffic. Not the employees,” I playfully swat at her hand as she clutches the round bread.
Looking at these two girls makes my heart flutter with excitement. I could not be prouder of who they are becoming. I watch them graciously as they eat, slowly taking bites of my own. There was a time I thought I didn't want children; now, I wouldn't know what to do without them. I'm still in awe over them almost eighteen years later. They are so alike yet so different. Baylee takes extra vegetables and potatoes, meticulously eating them first. Whereas Breann eats her rolls and roast first. One of the many things that sets them apart.
“Mom, I almost forget. While I’m at work, would it be okay for Delilah to use the computer and printer here?” Breann questions.
“I don't mind. She doesn’t have a computer?”
“She did. Her cousin did something to it and now it just goes into safe mode every time she tries to turn it on. They are going this weekend to buy another one. Everyone's just busy with meets and school tours.” The girls explain together. Delilah has been Breann’s best friend from the very first day they met. Like my daughters, she has a really good head on her shoulders. She has pushed herself to graduate early like them and has started making plans for the years to come. I am so proud of the friends my children have chosen.
“Not a problem. Baylee, will you be here to let her in?”
“Actually, I have to stay after school. Not sure which days though. I’ll let you know.”
“More activities or volunteering again?” I ask, taking a sip from my glass of wine.
“Just volunteer stuff. Moving things around and the hall is expanding next year.”
“Looks good on her application, too. All the extra work she puts in.” Breann nudges her sister, smiling. They always push and encourage each other to do better.
My stomach feels like it's going to explode it's so stuffed. I don't know how these girls devour so much food putting more than one plate in theirs. They are bottomless pits, it seems.
“I’ve already made your fathers plate and I’m beyond full. Either of you want more before I put it away?” I ask, getting to my feet and grabbing my plate.
“No, thank you. It was great, though.” They both respond, taking the last few bites from their plate.
Dinner as usual was much needed sit-down time. I feel their lives are going to fast now that schools ending. They work and volunteer, which takes up so much of their free time. Sitting down for a real meal together may start to slow down. Come to think of it, dinner time is the only time we really actually get to sit down and enjoy each other’s company.
“Please load the dishwasher when you’re done. I'm going to shower before you two do. I actually want hot water this evening. Early bed tonight, we all have long days tomorrow.” I kiss them on their heads before I leave the kitchen. I can never give them too many as they are constant small reminders of my love for them.
***
Nathaniel’s headlights shine out front as he pulls into the driveway. I can hear his keys turning the lock as he comes through the front door, closing and locking it behind him. It makes me happy that he finally gives into my obsessive need to lock the door. I used to stay up until he got home, just to make sure the door was locked before finally closing my eyes for the day.
I can hear him rummage through the fridge until it finally goes quiet. I assume he saw the note about dinner because the microwave starts. I put his food in there to keep it semi warm until he got home. I guess he didn't stop for dinner, which makes me happy that another plate of food won’t go to waste.
Lying in bed, I have the blankets pulled up tight with just my head poking out with a sliver of my arm that’s wrapped around my body pillow. With every blink, my eyelids grow heavier, slowly drowning out the room as the waves of sleep begin to take over. I’m so looking forward to what lies ahead this week. Everything is falling into place; I never expected for my goal to be this easy.
