Page 260 of When a Soul Cries

“You ready to go home?”

Halo kicked her feet against the car seat.

“Yeah. Me too.”

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By the time we walked through the front door, my body had officially decided the day was over.

I locked the door behind us, dropped my purse onto the kitchen counter, and kicked off my shoes. Warm evening light came through the windows and stretched across the dark wood-look flooring. A couple of unopened boxes still sat near the living room wall, reminding me that furniture shopping needed to happen eventually.

I carried Halo upstairs, changed her out of her daycare clothes, and pulled a clean shirt over her head. Before I could get her completely dressed, she started whining.

“I know.” I tugged the shirt over her little belly and smoothed her curls away from her forehead. “Mama tired too.”

Her bottom lip poked out as she pushed my hand away.

I stared at her. “Don’t start.”

Her face crumpled.

“Oh, Lord.”

I scooped her up before the full cry came and carried her downstairs, bouncing her against my hip while I headed toward the kitchen.

“I know you’re hungry. Let Mama figure out what we’re eating.”

I set her near her toys and opened the refrigerator. Before I could even decide between chicken and something quicker, she started whining again.

I looked over my shoulder.

Halo lifted both arms.

I closed the refrigerator and picked her up.

She immediately twisted away from me.

“You just asked me to pick you up.”

I lowered her to the floor.

She screamed.

My eyes closed.

“Halo.”

Up again.

Down again.

Juice got pushed away. Her diaper was clean. She didn’t have a fever. She didn’t want her toys. She didn’t want me to hold her, but apparently she also didn’t want me to put her down.

After several minutes of it, I stood in the middle of my living room with her on my hip and stared at her.

“Ma’am, I need you to make a decision.”

She whimpered and laid her head against my shoulder.