19. Sarah
SARAH
I didn’t know what to think. My mother had left Dad behind, as well as Emma?
And then what exactly? Hide from the Dragonii, Mylos, and human law enforcement?
No. It had to have been a moment of madness, with Grammie’s move being the straw that broke the camel’s back.
She obviously had realized she’d effed up big time, as she’d pulled into that parking lot and simply sat there.
Still, I was furious with her. For scaring Emma and probably Caleb and Lucy, not to mention Dad.
And worrying me and Doran. For thinking, even for a split second, that it was an okay thing to do.
That she even had a claim on my kids that made where they lived a choice that was hers to make.
She’d always been opinionated and loud about it, but she had gone too far this time.
Half of me wanted her to go to hell. The other half wanted my mama to come, apologize to me, and give me a hug.
Yeah, like that was ever going to happen.
Oh, I had no doubt she’d come. She might even give a half assed apology but then turn it around on me just like she always did. I could hear her now.
“If only you’d gotten together with the dentist. You could have kept your own last name, you know. You wouldn’t have to use Winkleman if you didn’t want to.”
Oh yeah. She’d lead with that, for sure.
Then she’d paste a smile on her face, the one that said, “I’m trying, but this hardship,” and wear it during our wedding.
Dad would just look bemused, and usually he’d follow her cues, but after what she pulled today, he was probably going to be mad at her, and so he’d simply be Mr. Stoic.
Why the hell had I asked the Mylos to bring them along?
Oh yeah, because I wanted them to at least pretend they were happy for me after we had a strongly worded conversation.
Kaelor came down. “Did I miss something? You could cut the tension in here with a knife!”
“What’s going on?” Tarek asked, coming in behind him with Laura. He sat her in her chair and fastened a bib around her neck.
“Oh, nothing much,” I replied, ladling some batter into the waffle maker and sprinkling in chocolate chips Doran handed me from the replicator. “You know, just my mother losing her shit and taking off with my two youngest children.”
“What?” Varek asked, his tone sharp.
“Calm down, babe,” Darren said as Laura's lower lip trembled. “Laura thinks you’re mad at her.”
Tarek turned his attention back to the baby. “No, no, sweetheart. Pata was just surprised. You’re my wonderful girl! Does my princess want some milk?”
“Mook,” Laura agreed.
“Pata will get it.” He set about mixing up her drink in her sippy cup. “So, are they alright?” he asked me in a quieter tone.
“Oh, they’re fine. The Mylos located her and picked up the kids.
She was just sitting in a convenience store parking lot, as if she was waiting for my dad or the police or somebody to come and meet her there or something.
They picked up Emma, too, and Commander Gundar sent a long distance shuttle from the Bride Fleet to go pick them up.
I’m not sure if my parents will be coming or not, and to be honest, I’m starting to wonder why I said they still could if they wanted to. ”
“I’m glad the kits are okay.”
I blinked back tears, then took the now cooked waffle out and loaded in more batter and chips before closing the lid.
“Those look…interesting.”
“They’re waffles, and the iron makes them look like Snoopy. He’s a famous cartoon dog.”
“Snoopy rules. Just wait, babe. I’m sure Bob has all the old Peanuts specials and the movie. Probably the comic strips too. They came out in book form. I’ll have you saying, ‘Curse you, Red Baron!’ in no time at all.”
Despite my mood, I couldn’t help but laugh at the expression on Tarek’s face. He looked like he thought Darren had lost the plot, and poor Doran didn’t look much better with the bemused expression he wore.
It didn’t take me long to make enough waffles for everyone, and the boys were ecstatic when they saw I used the whipped cream to color Snoopy in, adding more chocolate chips to fill in where the black should be.
Both of our Dragonii loved the waffles, and I decided then and there to make them more often.
Maybe next time I’d add some nuts. The bacon was replicated, so it was ready as soon as we wanted it, and the chatter about the food and plans for the day soon helped lift the pall hanging over our mood.
All too soon, Kaelor, Tarek, and Darren were headed out to work.
“Can we see if Bob has some Snoopy cartoons?” Matt asked, and I nodded.
“I can ask him,” Evan offered. “It’s not hard.”
It really wasn’t. So I agreed. “But brush your teeth and wash your faces first!” I called after them as they clattered away from the table.
“She’s so sticky, she even got syrup in her hair,” Doran said, dismayed.
“You deal with the dishes, and I’ll give her a bath,” I offered.
“You have a deal.”
The waffle iron you have to hand wipe out. You can’t put it in the dishwasher or sink.”
He nodded his understanding, and I carried Laura upstairs. By the time we’d only just got past the boys as they decided to watch one of the summer camp Peanuts specials, I was nearly as sticky as she was.
“Okay, we’re going to try taking a shower together. First, you go in your sling thing.”
Laura grinned. “Sing.” Annnd then she patted her hands in my hair too.
I laughed. “I probably should have expected that.”