“Yeah, she was my birth mother and CJ’s.”
“Was?” She picked her head up.
“She died about two months ago—”
"The same time you got CJ." She was putting the pieces together. I nodded. "I'm so sorry."
"I hadn't seen her in years, and then one day, she's gone, and I have a baby brother." I shrugged. "Anyway, Crystal was short with long brown hair, but that's where the similarities end. I must've been really gone that night because I don't remember any of this."
“I hope I remember all of this.” She stroked my face again.
“I hope you do too.” I smiled down at her.
“Cole…” she whispered.
“Yes, Lisa?”
“I think I’m gonna be sick.”
She didn't endup getting sick. Some of CJ's gluten-free crackers eased her nausea, and we lay in the bed spooning, her back tucked into my chest with the wastebasket from my bathroom next to the bed, just in case.
“How are you feeling?” I whispered into her ear.
"Better," she said in a sigh and tightened my arm around her waist, bringing us closer together. "Is that what I think it is?" She giggled, wiggling her bottom into my hips. She was definitely still drunk.
"I'm afraid so. My friend has a mind of his own," I whispered again. Lisa laughed harder. "I can still go to sleep on the couch."
“No. I kept my end of the bargain. You keep yours.” She yawned loudly. “Thank you for kidnapping me.”
“Anytime.”
“Goodnight, Cole.”
“Goodnight, Lisa.”
The next morning,Lisa came downstairs dressed in her clothes from the night before to find CJ and me in the kitchen.
"Hey, neighbor," I said. She looked exhausted but no less beautiful than she always did. I suspected she didn't sleep well.
"Good morning." She gave me a small, embarrassed smile and quickly turned her attention to CJ. "Good morning, handsome." She leaned over his high chair, and he rewarded her with a blueberry. "Thank you." She laughed and chewed before standing up to face me.
“About last night…” She trailed off.
"I hope you're not about to apologize or ask me to pretend it didn't happen because I'm not entertaining either of those things." I glared at her with my eyebrows raised, daring her to contradict me.
“Fine,” she sighed. “Well, thank you. I hope I didn’t keep you up with my snoring.”
“What? No,” I lied. Actually, she kept CJ and me both awake with her snoring. I couldn’t believe such loud noises could come from such a little person.
She gave me a skeptical look, and I quickly deflected.
"Hey, you want some breakfast? The pickings are slim for you, but I have eggs, blueberries, and coconut oil…or I could run to Whole Foods."
"Thanks, but I think I'm gonna head home. I've imposed enough. I have to take my morning meds, do a couple laps around the park, and get ready for work…"
"Okay, but you're always welcome here. Right, CJ?" I looked at my tiny wingman who chose this moment to start making loud snorting sounds, a clear imitation of the noises that permeated the house this morning and last night. My face went slack. I looked at Lisa, who was giving me another skeptical look.
"They're teaching them about farm animals in daycare," I stammered. "Good piggy noises, buddy. Now, what does the cow say?"
