I watched as Addi slammed the door behind her. As soon as she left, I heard Arlo storming down the stairs and running to the TV.
"With her gone, we aren't fighting over what to watch! Yes!" I smiled at him, even though he was kind of happy for the wrong reason. I sigh and slap him gently on the back.
"Don't get used to it. She's coming back soon." He nodded and turned on the TV. I headed towards my bedroom, Erica in my hands. I walk carefully. After all, I don't want to drop her. When we get to our room, I close the door behind us and set her on the nightstand. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes for a minute.
silence.
Is this how it feels whenever my kids aren't arguing? I laugh to myself silently as I regain my strength to sit up. Erica is still asleep, but I can change that. I reach over a pillow and tap on her screen.
"Hey, Sweetie. What's going on?" I hear her voice, and my brain finally breathes.
"Hey, Erica. I was thinking of something..." I pause for a second, giving her time to think. "Should we tell them what happened? To you?" Dots circle on the screen, signaling her thought process.
"I think we shouldn't tell them anything. You know how Arlo is. He's going to tell all of his classmates and friends. Not going to happen." She said it firmly, like she knows her way is better. I know it is. It has to be, anyway. She's connected to the internet. She can search through articles and such to figure out what is best for our children. That's why I love her so much.
"But... We should consider telling Addi," She began hesitantly. I saw dots on her screen, so I didn't interrupt her. "You know how she's been. Reading detective novels and asking for trench coats. That's far from normal child activities, and we should support her." She sounded genuine, but I knew she was just making things up. For as long as I knew her, I thought this would never happen. I thought we would never be stuck in a situation like this. And the worst of it all. My family was falling apart. I couldn't let one single person rip away the only thing I had left.
"I'm heading out of town tomorrow." I place the words one after another, speaking like it's my first time. Erica doesn't sound upset.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfeRRss1j3
"Well... I can't stop you. Just remember that we can do it without him-"
"I am well aware of that." I cut her off because I hate hearing that I can do it when it feels like I can't. I can't help but feel like a crippled man when I tell her I'm taking another trip. I don't want to ask him for help, but here I am. I hate doing this, and she knows it, too. I let my skin feel the air pushing around me. The silent jingle of the bells on Addi's keychain. I hear it. The Jing, jinggs, jingles, jangles, jings. Even if she's not here. Even if I know full well that I'm not hearing anything but that beaten-up fan that still whurrs on now and then. Especially when I least expect it. I feel myself getting nervous, and I automatically shut down my anxious feelings. Now is not the time to worry.
ns216.73.217.139da2
and then Add to home screen.