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“It’s fine. No harm done,” I reassured.
“I’m sorry. It’s something…”
That she did with Rory.
“It’s fine. I must leave. Grant and Casey, please behave at school. Kiyah and Daisy, please behave at home. Kierra, that goes for you too. Call me if something comes up.”
She rolled her eyes and shooed me away with a flick of her hand.
“Kids, we’re pedal to the metal in five minutes,” Kierra warned.
I left the house without further fanfare and a smile on my face, knowing my children were in good hands.
* * *
I rolled my eyes, exasperated by an insurance company’sextended hold time. My stomach growled as I spun in my office chair and considered what I’d have for lunch.
I swear to God if they don’t answer the phone in the next three minutes….
My eyes bulged when Kierra entered my office with Kiyah and Daisy.
God, spandex leggings have never looked so good on anyone.
Kierra dropped a brown paper bag from a restaurant around the corner that I’d frequent for lunch and retrieved a water bottle from the mini fridge. I smiled when Kiyah motioned to the snack basket, and Kierra told her no with a silent slice across her neck. Kiyah pouted, flopped onto the couch, and angrily kicked her legs. Daisy resolved to climbing into my lap instead. “Yes. I’m still here.” I spent the next five minutes taking care of business before hanging up.
“Wow. Was that some of that aggressive cross-examination you warned me about,” Kierra taunted.
“No. That didn’t even scratch the surface. Now, what do I owe the pleasure?”
“My first morning was a little hectic, and I didn’t get around to making lunch for you as I hoped. I decided to pick you up something on my way to meet with Simone for lunch and a playdate.”
“Anthony texted me earlier and told me that Simone was excited to meet up,” I said, beckoning for Kiyah to join me around the desk. She hopped off the couch and raced over.
“Hi, Mr. Jonathan.”
“Hi, Kiyah. Have you all been behaving?” She shook her head violently. “No? Who hasn’t been behaving?”
“Mommy.”
I held back laughter when I heard Kierra’s lips smacking in the background.
“Oh, no. What did she do?”
“She won’t let me have a treat,” she huffed.
“Do you think that might have something to do with the fact that you guys will have lunch soon, and she doesn’t want you to ruin your appetite?” The little girl shrugged. “Can I trust you, Kiyah?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Grab a fruit snack for you, Daisy, and Nori to share at the park, okay?”
“Ye—”
“Hold on. Slow down, Speedy,” I said, grabbing her arm gently. “We can’t always get what we want, which sometimes makes us mad. It’s okay to be mad, right?” She nodded. “That’s right. It’s okay to be upset, but it’s not okay to give your parents attitude and throw tantrums.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jonathan,” Kiyah replied weakly.
“Thank you for apologizing, Kiyah, but I think your mom needs an apology.”
