The food arrives while Cori makes lemonade. I’m surprised when she warms milk and puts it in a sippy cup for our niece.
While my wife puts the food on the table, I set up the highchair and help Annette to the table.
“I forgot,” Cori announces. “I have news.” She stands tall in the kitchen and smiles. “I hired a receptionist.”
My smile drops. “What? I was supposed to help you with that. Did you do a background check? Who is this person?”
“I think you’ll approve.” Just as the words leave her mouth, the bell rings. She runs to the front door and returns with my mother. “This is my first hire!” The two hug and laugh at the same time.
“You want to go back to work, Mom?”
“Only part-time. And I want to be part of my daughter’s team.” Mom pats Cori’s cheek, and my wife smiles so wide.
“My first hire. I think I did pretty good,” Cori beams.
“You did great, sweetheart, but I want to help with the others.”
“Let Daxton help you, honey,” Annette says from the living room. She gestures for me, and I help her from the couch to the kitchen table, where she takes a seat. She seems to be out of breath by the time she’s situated. “Maybe I can get a job there, too, in a few months.” Annette looks from Cori to my mom, who are now holding hands. Her nostrils flare as if she’s a bit put off by their closeness.
“Mom, you need to focus on your recovery. Let’s eat lunch. You hungry, Momma? How about a cocktail?”
“I will never say no, but just one.” Mom points at Cori, who gives her a mischievous grin.
“None for me, Cori. I can’t mix alcohol with my pain pills,” Annette announces, even though she wasn’t offered a drink.
Despite Annette’s permanent fake smile as she looks from Cori to my mom, lunch is a nice family affair. Ruby sits next to me in her highchair, kicking her feet and shoving fistfuls of food inher mouth. She drops enough on the floor for Finch to eat. I notice Cori dropping chicken for the dog every few minutes.
“Her stomach will be upset, sweetheart. This is too spicy for her.” I shake my head at my wife.
“Sorry.” She whispers the words, but they are aimed at Finch, who whines as if she understands. After a few more seconds of the whining, Cori gets up, gets a bag of doggy treats, and throws a few on the floor. “I can’t take the doggy whines.” She glares at me as if she’s daring me to say something, but all I do is smile.
“Cori, I think we should go to the Essence Festival. I know it’s soon, but it’s the perfect time because we’ll be so busy with Corine’s Creations. Josie is on board and will help us with the grand opening. I have a job for all our volunteers, and you have plenty.”
Mom pulls out her iPad, and the two put their heads together. Annette fidgets in her seat.
“What can I do?” she asks. Her voice sounds small.
“We have a list of things, so whatever you can do, Mom.” Cori leaves her seat and takes the one next to her mother. “Take a look.”
While the women talk, I get a text on my other phone. I notice Cori looking at me while I read the text. I close the phone and slide it into my pocket. Ruby fusses, so I take her out of the chair.
The doorbell rings, and I open the door to Leander, who seems to have aged overnight. Ruby bounces and reaches for him. He drops the scowl, takes her, and kisses her cheek.
“I found him,” I announce. “He’s shacked up at some woman’s house in Hollow Mist.”
“Are you shitting me?” Leander growls. “Where? I need to take Annette to her physical therapy, but I’m going to go find my son afterward and kick his ass.” I text him the address.
“Well, I don’t know what you want us to do, Cori,” Leander snaps.
“First thing you can do is check your tone.” My mom nods in agreement with me as she scowls at Cori’s father.
“And you can make your son accountable,” Cori adds.
Leander makes a show of looking around. “Do you see him here? How can I do anything when he’s not here? I have to take your mother to her appointment. All I’m asking is that you watch Ruby for a few hours.”
“And I said I can’t. I have work to do, and Dax has a meeting.”
“Cori, please.” Annette starts to cry in her seat, and Leander runs to his wife. He bends down and rubs her shoulder. “This isn’t about punishing your brother.”
