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She straightened and puffed loose strands out of her face. “Of course.” She folded her arms and kicked a hip out. “Then he started on Thanksgiving.”
“And he wasn’t happy when you told him you had plans.”
Her jaw tensed. “He brought up how close you and Holly seemed at the football party. And I maybe…” She rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Instead of basically telling him to butt out like I have been, I said you were involved with trick-or-treating and that we were going to your place for Thanksgiving and that Mom was even going and… He’s so angry, Holden.”
She almost sounded scared. I crossed to her and pulled her into my arms. “He can be pissed. He made his choice and is facing the consequences.”
“I could give him Thanksgiving,” she mumbled. “He asked ahead of time, and I don’t want to discourage him from being involved in their lives.”
“Do what you feel is right. You and your mom can still come over.”
She curled her arms around my sides. “I don’t want to give him the satisfaction, but this is for the kids. That would be his weekend anyway, and I could take them up in the morning.” She exhaled like she was deflating.
“It’s all right.”
“It’s not how I saw tonight going.” She said it like she was really saying that this wasn’t how she saw her life going. Fighting with an ex on days that should be fun for the whole family.
“I know.” I couldn’t make her problems go away, but I could be the one keeping them from weighing her down. “Once you message him, forget about it and have fun.”
She nodded but let me hold her for another minute before we broke apart. Worry lingered in her eyes, but she gave me a small smile. “I’d better get out there or they’ll come looking for us.”
“And I don’t need your mom thinking I’m up to no good.” I led her out, hoping the remnants of her conversation with Henry stayed behind.
* * *
Emery
I tried to root myself in the moment and thrive off the excitement of the kids, but the message wars with Henry weren’t helping.
If I had expected appreciation for cooperating with him about Thanksgiving, I was wrong.I want them Monday night through Thanksgiving weekend. We’re going to Arizona.
It was cool he was actually visiting his parents and that he wanted to take the kids. But he couldn’t just announce it and expect everyone else to do the work for the trip.Let me know what time you want to pick them up. Also, remember to contact their teachers so they can bring the schoolwork they’ll miss.
You’ll need to bring them down. Just send any schoolwork with them.
I took a steadying breath as I read his last message. I slipped the phone into my pocket. Holden gave me a sidelong look as Afton showed him the full-size can of grape pop she got from the house we were standing in front of.
My breath puffed in front of my face, and I pivoted with the rest of my family as we tracked to the next house with its outside lights on.
“Everything okay?” Holden asked as the kids ran to the door. Riley was still going strong, running after her siblings on her own. I’d brought the stroller, which functioned as storage for winter clothing the kids might need to put on or take off. And extra candy bags. Avery had insisted.
“Just Henry flexing.” I gave my head a shake. “I’m done with him for tonight.”
A couple with two young boys walked toward us. The dark-haired woman was dressed as a fairy with gauzy wings on her back and sparkly face paint. She wore a loose Tinkerbell dress over thick leggings and a black sweatshirt. I wouldn’t have recognized Kennedy if Liam wasn’t next to her. He wasn’t dressed up, but Kennedy was a teacher. She’d probably been in that outfit all day.
Liam aimed his grin at Holden. “I thought for a minute Bruce was out here trick-or-treating.”
“That’s a low blow, Liam.” But Holden laughed and looked down at himself. “I do look a little like Uncle Bruce, don’t I?”
“Subtract thirty years and you could pass as twins.” His attention was snatched away as his boys—Woody and Buzz Lightyear—ran to the same house my kids were finishing at. “Remember to say thank you,” he called.
“I love your costume,” I told Kennedy.
She smiled and did a little curtsy. “All the cool fairies wear thermals.”
“Winter fairies, for sure.”
Kennedy peered at my kids as they rushed from the front door to us. “There’s Avery. I didn’t see her costume since she’s at the middle school, but I saw Afton’s Black Widow costume. And Landon told me how Holden helped score some football gear to borrow.”
