AT EXACTLY 3:00 p.m., the four parents and Darren walk into my room. It’s freaky. I’m usually at the mall being switched at this time. So I just pretend to be asleep.
“Should we wake her?” Mom whispers.
“She’s had such a rough time—let her rest,” Anastasia replies.
“Too bad this ice cream is gonna melt,” I hear Darren say.
I pop my eyes open.
“I knew you were faking!” Darren hoots, his voice all high and happy.
“Where’s my ice cream?” I demand. I cross my arms against my chest—gently.
“I’ll run out and get a whole pint for you later on,” he promises.
Mom holds a Target bag in her hand—that means fresh clothes. Maybe even new.
I catch her eye and mouth, “Thanks, Mom.” I can’t wait to change.
Both Dad and John Mark are wearing the same yummy man cologne. It’s a little overpowering as they lean over me to kiss my head.
Anastasia reaches over and smooths my blanket, kinda like a mom would do.
Mom must have taken a quick shower when she went home, because her hair is still damp. She’s wearing a T-shirt with purple sparkles that says, “My Other Car Is a Unicorn.”
I watch a lot of hospital dramas on television, and this is the part where patients just want everybody to leave them alone. It’s all going just a little too well. No arguments. No fights. No snippy remarks. Nothing. If they leave now, nothing bad can happen.
Dad clears his throat. Uh-oh. Here it comes.
“Uh, Nicole, I want to say something—in front of our daughter.”
I tense up. Waiting for the arguments to kick in.
Dad continues. “I just want to offer my congratulations to you and John Mark about your upcoming nuptials. John Mark is a top-notch guy—and I can tell he loves my baby girl. I sincerely hope you’ll both be very happy.”
I’m for-real shocked. That was awfully nice.
Mom, who I think is just as surprised, replies, “Thank you, Isaiah. Really. Truly. I thank you.” She looks at both of them. “And I also really wish the best for you and Anastasia on your wedding as well. I think all of us deserve a little happiness.”
Well, slap me silly! They’re honestly being nice to each other! Of course, if this were one of those Hallmark movies, one of them would then say, “Izzy’s happiness comes first,” then they’d all wait till I was grown and gone before they all got hitched. Ha! That’s for sure not happening!
Well, at least they’re not brawling over my bed. ’Cause it coulda gone that way too.