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“Yeah, can we?” Brody pleaded.
Abby nodded her assent, so I added, “If you eat your dinner.”
I ate until my stomach was over-full. Then, pushing my plate aside, I said, “Thank you for dinner, Abby. It was delicious.”
Her smile widened. “You’re welcome.”
Abby was appreciative of the smallest gestures. It made me think she didn’t have a lot of appreciative males in her life.
Hunter pushed his bowl aside. “Can we play outside?”
Brody shoved his chair back and was already standing.
I held up a hand. “Not so fast. Clear your dish, rinse it, and put it in the dishwasher.”
“Ugh. Fine,” Brody said as he grabbed the bowl and followed Hunter to the sink.
When they ran outside, Abby reminded Hunter, “Please shut the door.”
He came back and reluctantly closed it.
I tipped my head toward the boys. “I have years of bad habits to clear. Brody’s father wasn’t always involved, so manners and chores are foreign to him.”
“It’s tough even when you teach them from birth. Although I might have spoiled him. He’s my only child, so I did things for him for far too long. My father finally stepped in and said I was supposed to be raising him to be independent and that his spouse would thank me one day for instilling responsibility.”
“It’s true. We want to give them everything, but we have to teach them how to maneuver in this world, and it’s not always easy.”
“Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“And you’ve done it alone.”
“I can’t imagine doing it any other way. Maybe in the beginning, but I had to let go of that dream.” Abby’s expression was more wistful than hurt.
“You’re stronger than you realize.” I thought I’d told her that before, but I couldn’t help myself from repeating it. I knew you had to hear things sometimes several times before you believed it.
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“I felt the same way, but we all have a choice.”
“I suppose so, but I love him so much. And you’re right, I want to give him everything. I just always feel like I’m playing catch-up because I can’t make up for an absentee father.”
“You have your sister, Ben, your parents.”
“That’s true, but it’s not the same as a father.”
“I like to think I can be a father figure for Brody. On a good day, I like to think I’m better than his father. Don’t feel less than. Not only are you doing the best you can, but you’re surrounding him with people who care for him and experiences.”
“You’re a sweet talker.”
I shifted in my chair, uncomfortable with her characterization. “I call it like I see it.”
She sighed. “I should clean up.”
I stood to take the bowl out of her hand. “You cooked. I’ll clean.”
For a second, it seemed like she wanted to argue; then she finally handed me her bowl.
“You can show me where you’d like me to put everything.” I set our bowls next to the sink, spotting a wine bottle on the counter. “Did you mean to open this for dinner?”
