Page 19

He looks toward the large bowl that has pancake batter. “You’re making pancakes?”
I nod. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day at this age and Sawyer and Isla like pancakes.”
“True, but they don’t expect it during the week.” He takes his travel mug from the coffee maker and pulls it to his lips. “So, SJ goes back today and he has to meet with the counselor after school, so you’ll only be picking up Isla at three.”
“I saw it in the notes, I remember,” I tell him while I flip a pancake. “I was thinking we would go to the grocery store and then swing back after to get Sawyer. Is there anything you want or need me to get?” I say like one run-on sentence. I’ve been told that I need to take a break or at least a breath between thoughts and I inwardly cringe at the thought that I was talking too fast.
He doesn’t respond and I glance up at him to find him studying me. “I rarely meet people that aren’t lawyers whose minds work as fast as mine.” He chuckles and I turn back to the stove, hoping that he can’t see the slight embarrassment on my face. “Whatever you get is fine. Believe me, if you take Isla, she’ll have a list all her own before you even make it through the door,” he says as he grabs his bag. “Call me if you have any problems. You have my direct number at the office.”
“Yes, and your cell and your email and your…fax?” I wrinkle my nose and shake my head. “Not sure what I’d need that for but I appreciate that you have all the bases covered.”
“Right, well…”
“Go!” I tell him as I put a hand up and begin to wave him out of the kitchen. “I know what I’m doing. Your kids will all be alive when you get home.”
“It’s not them I’m worried about,” he grumbles before he’s out the door.
“So, you’re going to take us to school every day now?” Isla asks from the backseat.
We only had one meltdown this morning because she spilled syrup all over her lime green outfit, forcing her to change which meant her clothes no longer matched the sunglasses she wanted to wear. I normally advise children to wait and get dressed until after they eat for this exact reason, but Isla came downstairs fully dressed and I’ll admit I was impressed that she’s able to get herself ready in the morning with minimal assistance.
“I sure am,” I say as I look at her through the rearview mirror. “I’ll pick you up too.”
“Oh yay! Uncle River sometimes takes us to get a snack after school. Can we do that?” Isla asks.
“What kind of snack?”
“Ice cream or donuts!”
“So just pure sugar then?” I ask, starting to better understand why Isla seems to be in a permanent state of bouncing off the walls. “I think we can do that if sometimes we do something a little healthier too?” I look over my shoulder toward the surly ten-year-old who’s been in a mood ever since he came downstairs.
“Are you ready to talk about whatever is bothering you?” I ask him.
“He’s grumpy!” Isla adds and Sawyer turns to look at her.
“Santa isn’t real.” He deadpans.
“SAWYER!” I squeal and he turns to look at me with a grin despite the scowl on my face.
“She knows! I spoiled that for her ON ACCIDENT, last Christmas.”
Luckily, we are approaching a light, so I turn to look at Isla whose lip I can see trembling a little and I turn further to glare at Sawyer.Fix it!I mouth at him and he rolls his eyes and sighs.
“I’m sorry, Isles.” I hear a sniffle and when I look at her, she nods and holds her hand out for him. He takes it and then I see her slip her other hand under her sunglasses and wipe her eyes. I wonder if she’s really unpacked how she feels about that yet. We pull up to the school and Isla’s already halfway out of the car before I am.
“Wait, Isla!” I call after her.
“Sabrina and Cori!” she says before shutting the door and I see her take off for two girls standing not too far from the drop-off area.
“Those are her best friends. She’s fine,” Sawyer says as I get out of the car, my eyes trained on the three girls as they start jumping up and down.
“Do you need me to go in with you or anything?”
Sawyer gives me a look as if to say,are you kidding me?and shakes his head. “No, and you don’t need to take Isla in either. She usually meets up with her friends there or I’ll walk in with her.”
I nod, my eyes still not leaving the excited trio even as they skip their way toward the stairs. “Santa’s not real?” I snap my eyes to his just as they make it inside and I cross my arms over my chest.
“Sorry!”