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“Daddy’s!” Lucky yelled, exasperated and laughing.
“I has a donut?”
“Yes, darling.” I passed her the box. “That you can have.”
I cuddled her in my arms as we ate our donuts, conflicted between my need for a break and my desire to keep her close.
I watched from the window as Hope buckled her into the car and I took a deep breath.
Safe travels.
Lucky’s arms encircled my waist from behind as he nuzzled my ear. “Do you and your plush booty want to come upstairs?”
I turned my face toward him, pressing my temple to his mouth. “We could be convinced.”
It didn’t take much.
Lucky
The weekend flashed by at the speed of sound. We managed to get a rehearsal in with Minty on Saturday. Stayed out far too late with Junie and Lenny, then spent Sunday lounging in the backyard, reading, drawing, playing guitar, and doing yardwork.
Darcy passed by with Abby and Ben to examine my flowerbeds and approved of my efforts. They didn’t stay long. Darcy confided that dear-old-dad cancelled on the kids last minute so she was scrambling for something to do that would take their minds off it.
Minty suggested go-carting and offered to keep them company, but the kids refused to be deterred from their disappointment.
“Thank you, Minty,” Darcy sighed. “I appreciate the offer and will gladly take you up on it another time?” She stood abruptly and sniffed.
I looked up, alarmed. My sister did not cry. She looked defeated, shoulders slumped, face drawn. I moved to stand, but she waved me off.
“Just tired, Lucky. Tired of his shit.” She called out to her kids and transformed back into supermom in front of my eyes. “Guys! We’re going to have a ‘yes’ day.”
For the first time since they got here, their faces betrayed a spark of interest.
“What’s a ‘yes’ day?” Minty inquired.
Darcy looked at her, a wry smile on her face. “It means whatever reasonable thing they ask for, I commit to saying ‘yes’.”
Intrigued, I asked, “So, if they ask for a puppy?”
She laughed. “That’s unreasonable. But if they asked to go to the zoo, have ice cream for dinner, stay up late watching movies, play a marathon of board games, go mini-putt, all those things would be reasonable. And!” She held up one finger. “They have to agree on it and can only ask for one thing at a time.”
“You’re a good mom,” Minty murmured softly. “I admire you.” She looked over at Abby and Ben who were busy plotting, wide smiles on their faces. “Look at them.”
“Yeah.” Her face softened. “They’re good kids. I’m lucky. Right!” She waved them over. “Say bye to Uncle Lucky and his beautiful lady and then you can tell me how you’re going to torture me today.”
They left but their disappointment lingered. “He sucks,” I said.
“Hm. He certainly does,” Minty agreed.
I scrubbed my hand over my hair. “I hate that he does that to them.”
Minty looked at me. “You care. You’re a good uncle and a good brother, too.”
“I should do more.”
“Do I need to distract you? Should we also have a ‘yes’ day?”
My head swung around. “What are the parameters?”
