Kaipats my back. “That’s my James.”
I turn back to the table and walk over to Milo and Gandalf. “I can take over,” I say. “Seeing as your ride is here.”
Milo stands up, cradling the baby. He carefully pulls Gandalf away from his body and hands him over like he’s glass. I bow my arms, ready as Milo places the baby down.
“Why are you two acting like it’s a real baby?” Kai asks. “You know it’s fake, don’t you?”
“Ha ha,” Milo says sarcastically. “He has sensors that pick up any mishandling. We have to treat him like he’s real. That’s the assignment.”
“He?” Kai jokes. “Dang. You do really think he’s real.”
I grin at Kai. “He is real. He’s our baby Gandalf.”
At that, Kai claps and throws his head back with laughter. When his head lowers, he wipes under his eye. “Oh gosh, James. What a name.”
Milo slings his backpack over his shoulder and moves toward his brother. “Thanks. I thought it sounded good, too.”
Kai’s smile disappears as he watches his brother move toward the front door.
“Bye, Jamie. Text me if you need help,” Milo says with a wave. “Bye, Maddy.”
Aunt Maddy waves from the counter. “Bye, Milo. See ya, Kai.”
Kai flicks his car keys around his finger and he looks me up and down with the baby. “Yeah, I’ll see ya.” He shakes his head as he turns around. “You holding that baby looks super weird.”
“Thanks,” I reply. “It feels weird. See you tomorrow.”
Kai waves with his back turned. “Can’t wait.”
Aunt Maddy walks over from the counter as the boys leave. “So, do you think you can work while looking after a baby?”
“Ah, no,” I say bluntly. “How the heck will I do my homework?”
“He’ll sleep,” Maddy says matter-of-factly.
I roll my eyes. “Why hasn’t he done that yet?”
Before Maddy can respond, a bad smell wafts up, causing our noses to crinkle.
“Eww. What the heck is that?” I ask.
Aunt Maddy giggles, cupping her nose. “That would be your baby.”
“Gross.”
Aunt Maddy grabs the baby bag and beckons me to follow. “Come on. We’ll take him into my office and change him.”
“Will you do it?” I ask, following.
“Pfft. I think those who think Gandalf is an appropriate baby name will do the changing.”
“Milo named him. Dang it. He would leave right before this happened.”
“You can get him back tomorrow,” Aunt Maddy says as we round the counter and move across to her office. “When you’re at his place, you do the feeding, and he can do the changing.”
“He can do the whole lot,” I say, placing Gandalf down on the table.
Thank goodness he doesn’t actually do anything in his diaper. I have no idea how Maddy remembers how to change diapers after so many years. She must’ve done so many for me while Mom was working three jobs to take care of us.
