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“You didn’t have to call.” I chuckle. “It could have waited.”
“For you to change your mind and then say forget it?” He laughs, and I have to remember that he knows me and has known me for a really long time. “What can I help you with?”
“Do you know of any skating classes?” I ask, holding the phone with my shoulder as I put the casserole dish on the stovetop. “Rain really wants to go skating.”
“What are you guys doing now?” he asks.
“We’re just about to eat.” I look down at the casserole dish, the steam hitting my face. “Why?”
“I can see if I can get some ice time at the rink I go practice at,” he says, “but if it’s too close to dinner.”
“What about after?” The words come out of my mouth and shock not only Christopher but me. “See if you can get some time after. If you can, why don’t you come and eat?” He stays silent. “Unless you have dinner plans with someone else.”
“No, I have nothing planned. Give me five, maybe less.”
“Okay,” I agree, putting the phone on the counter. It takes him two minutes to call me back. “That was fast.”
“He answered my call,” he jokes with me. “You should try it sometime.”
“Did I not answer my phone twice?”
“That you did.” His voice is smooth. “Okay, he has an opening from six to seven.” I look over and see that it’s just a little after five. “I can be at your place in thirty-seven seconds.”
“Thirty-seven?” I shake my head.
“Thirty-five if I don’t have to do the last stop sign.” I hear the door slam on his end. “Then we can get the girls and go skating.”
“I can take them.” I look over, knowing Rain will love this.
“Already in the car and halfway there,” he states. “See you soon.”
He hangs up before I can say anything, and he wasn’t lying when he said it takes him thirty-seven seconds to get here. The doorbell rings as soon as I take the plates out of the cupboard. “Go get the door,” I tell the girls, who run to the door, and then I hear the squeals from both of them.
“Uncle Chrissy!” Luna screeches at the top of her lungs. “Mommy, Uncle Chrissy is here!” She runs into the room to tell me before running back out. I smile as I plate the girls’ dinner and then look over to see the three of them walking back into the room with Luna in Christopher’s arms. He’s wearing a black jogging suit. “Look, Mom.”
“I see.” I smile at him as he puts Luna down. “Go wash up for dinner,” I tell them, and they run into the bathroom.
“You were not lying about thirty-seven seconds.” I stay in the kitchen and watch him walk toward me.
“Smells good in here,” he compliments. “Did you tell the girls yet?”
“How much do you think I can get done in thirty seconds?” I tilt my head to the side. “I didn’t even have a chance to plate dinner.”
“I can do a lot in thirty seconds,” he states, looking at the food.
“I don’t know if you should boast about something like that.” I bite my lower lip to stop myself from laughing when his head whips up.
“Wow, walked right into that one.” The smirk fills his face.
“That you did.” I shake my head and prepare him a plate, then hand it to him.
“For the record, longer than thirty seconds,” he boasts, and I can’t help but giggle at him. He takes the plate. “What did you do today?” he asks, walking to the stool and taking it out.
“I attended a meeting with recovering addicts,” I report, and his head flies up so fast it’s shocking he doesn’t give himself whiplash. He’s about to ask me something when the girls run back into the room.
“Let’s eat,” I say, looking at the clock, “because Uncle Christopher has a surprise for you.” I look over at him, and he looks at the girls.
“You have to eat all your food.” He points at their plates. “Then I’ll tell you.” He smiles at them, his eyes lightening. He then looks at me. “You too.”
