Dad shifts uncomfortably. “That’s not true.”
“Oh right.” I laugh as I slap myself in the forehead. “I have no bedroom. Where am I supposed to sleep?”
Jason and Jill share a look.
“We’ve been thinking about that,” Mom begins. “We want you to take our bedroom.”
My mouth drops wide open.
They can’t be serious.
After all these years, they’re still scared shitless by Isla and her theatrics.
Figures.
“Where are you two going to sleep?” I ask them.
They look at each other again.
Oh, I can’t wait to hear this one.
“We were thinking about upgrading the couch,” Dad answers. “To something that can be turned into a bed at night.”
I laugh.
A full belly laugh.
These two idiots are going to sleep in the living room while I crash in their king-sized bed? Seriously?
“And what happens when Isla wants the master bedroom and takes that one, too?” I guffaw. “Are you going to let her take over the whole house while you sleep on the couch?”
Mom frowns. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Mom and Dad,” I begin as I fold my hands on top of each other. “You two are great people. You’re hard-working and kind. The best parents in the world. But you’re total pushovers and I’m sick of it.”
Dad runs a hand over his face. “We’re not pushovers.”
“Yeah,” Mom agrees. “We might be rollovers, but never pushovers.”
I chuckle. “Mom, you’re not giving up your bedroom for me. You’re going to tell Isla that she has to put my room back the way it was and she needs to share a room with her child.”
“We did talk to her,” Mom argues. “But she’s just so—”
“Harsh,” Dad says.
“Mean,” Mom adds.
“What happened to the parents who told me I was responsible for taking care of my child if I got pregnant?” I remind them. “You guys said you already raised your kids and you weren’t raising any more.”
“We did say that,” Dad remembers. It was the first time I snuck Wilder into the house.
“You’re not Isla,” Mom says softly. “You’re responsible.”
“And reasonable,” Dad sighs.
“So… I get punished for being the child you can reason with?” I ask gently.
Mom’s eyes fill with tears. “A ladybug cannot change its spots, Ingrid.”
