Page 36 of Aaron's Patience

“When is their birthday?”

“April first.”

He let out a laugh. “You’re kidding. April Fool’s Day?”

I gave him a nod. “Seriously.” Most people got a kick out of the twins’ birthday date but the day doesn’t hold much pleasure for me. Their actual due date was May first. They were born a month early for reasons that still keep me awake some nights.

I stood from the rocking chair that was a few feet from my father’s king-sized bed that he was still resting in. He was coming along well after his surgery but still needed to take it easy. Kyle and Kennedy were sitting at the edge of his bed, watching an episode ofDoc McStuffins. I frowned, hating that they’ve been watching so much television lately. I made a note to make a list of outdoor activities and parks we could play at until their camp begins. Since Ms. Sheryl had gone back to Oakland, it was up to me to make sure they were occupied during the day now. Which was fine by me since I didn’t have to go to work during the day at the moment. Though, it did make me sad to not have a job.

“I understand why you didn’t tell me about them.”

My father’s words grabbed my attention, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see a glum expression on his chestnut-toned face, as he stared on at the back of the twins’ heads.

“I understand,” he stated again but didn’t go into any further explanation.

Nor did I ask him to. Some things are better left unsaid.

Once the episode ofDoc McStuffinsended, I insisted the children turn off the TV. Kyle grumbled a bit but Kennedy offered to read her grandfather one of the books she brought with her. She always had me carry at least two books whenever we went out in case we have time to stop and read.

“She’s just like you.”

I smiled at my father’s comment.

“You know your mama loved to read at your age, too.”

Kennedy nodded as if that were old news. “Mommy’s a librarian. Her job has books all over,” she stated in awe.

“Not anymore,” I mumbled to myself, remembering that I no longer had a job.

After a little while longer, Wilhelmina arrived at my father’s and I took the opportunity to make our departure. It was late afternoon and I still had to get the kids to Excelor for their registration, since the school was closed in the morning. At Aaron’s insistence, we were chauffeured around in a dark SUV by a driver. I hated not being able to drive, but like much of my belongings, my car was still in Oakland.

After registering the children for school, we headed home so I could make some phone calls to get their school records sent over. Since Williamsport was two hours ahead of Oakland time, I had plenty of time in the day to get that task done. By the end of the day I’d accomplished the list of items that my husband had ordered me to get done. Again that night, after laying the children down in their beds, he retrieved a few items and went to sleep downstairs. And so it continued for the next three weeks.

****

“I’m starting to feel like their nanny instead of their mother,” I complained to Michelle. She and I had just dropped our children off at camp. Turned out, Diego was attending the same camp. He and the children got along great. I was happy to see Kyle and Kennedy have another family member around their age.

“How so?” Michelle asked.

I shrugged as we head out of the double doors of the huge school building where the camp was being housed.

“Aaron makes all of the decisions, which trust me, there were times in the last five years I wished I had someone to make all of the major decisions and take some of the responsibility from me. But not like this.” I sighed.

“Want to stop and get donuts?” Michelle asked.

“You don’t have to work?”

She shook her head. “Wasn’t feeling well this morning so I took the day off.”

“Sure.”

We walked to a specialty donut shop that was a few blocks from the school. Michelle and I had grown closer in the last few weeks since the wedding.

“Have you talked to him about it? I mean, telling him that you think he’s taking over?”

I snorted. “Have you met my husband?”

She turned honey-toned eyes on me, giving me a sympathetic look.