The line should not be blurred.
“I’m done.” Charlotte dropped her fork onto her plate. “Can we go see the ducks now?”
“How about you take one more bite of your meat and one more bite of green beans,” I said, grateful for her bringing me out of my confusing thoughts and back to reality. “As soon as we get dinner put away, we’ll go. Okay?”
She studied her plate like I’d just proposed something unreasonable. But she picked up her fork.
I looked back at Nora and cleared my throat. Trying to get this conversation back on track, I said, “So I’m not a completely hopeless case, then?”
She held my gaze for a charged moment, and my chest tightened in a way I didn’t entirely understand.
“Definitely not a hopeless case.”
20
NORA
I was sittingat the kitchen table on Friday afternoon, trying to keep Kinetic Sand contained to one corner of the surface while Charlotte enthusiastically ignored that boundary.
“Look,” she said, proudly holding up a lumpy tower that immediately collapsed in on itself. “It’s a castle.”
“It’s a very modern castle,” I assured her, brushing stray grains away from the edge of the table before they cascaded to the floor.
My phone buzzed beside me.
Theo: Hey I just heard from Charlotte’s grandparents. They might stop by earlier than expected to get her. They’re taking her this weekend since I’ll be at Ian’s wedding and they decided to make a weekend of it.
Anyway I didn’t have time to pack Charlotte’s suitcase since I thought I’d have more time after work. Would you mind packing it for her? Maybe have her help you choose a few outfits? And if you don’t mind feeding her a bit early that would be amazing.
I smiled to myself. He always asked like that even though this was technically my job.
Me: Sure. I can do that. Any other things I should remember to pack? A special blanket or toy for her to sleep with perhaps?
Charlotte shoved a chunk of sand toward me. “Make a pancake.”
“One second,” I murmured, scanning my screen.
Theo: Yes. Her stuffed raccoon Bandit is a must. And whatever blanket she wants to grab.
Bandit. Of course.
There was a pause.
Then the three little typing dots appeared again.
I waited, absently flattening the “pancake” Charlotte had requested.
Theo: Oh and if you can find her pink bunny. We call it Fluffy. That would be amazing. Alisha’s mom gave that to her last time they took her, and they always like to see her enjoying the things they buy her.
The typing dots appeared again before I could respond. So, I leaned back in my chair and watched them blink on and off like he was debating whether to add something else.
A minute later, another message came through.
Theo: Also, maybe try to pick out some of her fancier clothes for her to wear. I know she likes to dress in her own creative style these days, but her grandma can be picky about appearances. So even if you can’t get Charlotte to put on a matching outfit, at least her grandma will have the option if she chooses to engage in that fight.
I laughed softly under my breath, the scenario sounding similar to stories my mom used to tell about me and the wardrobe battles we had when I was little. Apparently, there was one Sunday where I insisted on wearing two dresses to church. The one she wanted me to wear underneath, and the one I wanted on top.
Me: I’ll see what I can do.