“Wise.”
The corner of her mouth lifted. She set her basket on the counter and glanced around the kitchen. “Everyone seems surprisingly cheerful considering the aroma.”
Bianca studied the two of us. Her expression suggested she was mentally cataloging the exchange for future analysis.
I cleared my throat. “Actually, before breakfast gets much further, I wanted to run something by you.”
Winnie looked at me expectantly.
“I was planning to take CJ and Bianca out today.”
Her expression didn’t change, but I could almost see her attention narrowing.
“As you know, I missed part of the recital,” I continued. “And to make it up to them, I want to spend some time with just the two of them.”
A smile spread slowly across her face. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
The knot that had formed in my stomach since I’d decided on the plan loosened. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
She glanced at Billie, who had realized the conversation didn’t include her.
Billie crossed her arms and stuck her bottom lip out. “You’re still going to leave me out?”
Winnie crouched until they were eye level. “What do you think about having your very own day?”
Billie’s eyes narrowed. “Will there be snacks?”
“I should certainly hope so.”
“And adventures?”
“Obviously.”
“What kind?”
Winnie leaned in conspiratorially. “I’m sure we can conjure up something fun today.”
Billie wrapped her arms around Winnie’s neck. Winnie hugged her back just as naturally. I watched the two of them for a second longer than I probably should have, struck by how maternal Winnie looked holding Billie, and how long it had been since Billie had been able to have that with a woman.
Winnie looked back at me over Billie’s shoulder. “I think some quality time with you is exactly what CJ and Bianca need.” There wasn’t an ounce of judgment in her voice. Only encouragement.
We ended up going to the enormous retro arcade downtown. It had rows of restored cabinets, pinball machines, Skee-ball lanes, air hockey tables, and prize counters filled with plastic nonsense my children treated as valuable currency.
It was perfect for CJ and Bianca, but it wouldn’t have worked for Billie. It was too loud, had too many flashing lights, and not enough mud, bugs, or danger. Most of the machines were too tall for her, and there were too many rules she wouldn’t care about.
For the older two, it was heaven.
CJ stopped dead the minute we walked inside. “Oh, this is awesome.”
Bianca looked around with reserved interest that lasted approximately eight seconds before she spotted a vintage puzzle game and abandoned all dignity.
We got wristbands and a cup of tokens because the owner still understood the power of small metal coins. CJ gravitated toward pinball, while Bianca found an old arcade cabinet with a maze game.
“Bianca,” I said after her third high score, “are you hustling me?”
“No.”
“You answered too quickly.”
