Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sam

 

Business Class gave me a meal, so I stuck to coffee and a yogurt parfait until boarding, passing time by checking work email. Since I was back in the office tomorrow, there would always be email. Contracts got done now so developers were ready to break ground as soon as Southern California’s rainy season passed, and estate planners would want to revise their benefits and wills based on the new year’s new tax laws.

January resolutions always meant a new influx of work.

Mom texted me: Is your flight on time?

So far. If it holds, I’ll be leaving the airport at two to come home.

See you around three, then. Kids are antsy today.

Mom, you still have help, right?

I’m fine, Samuel.

I winced at the use of my full first name.

I’d hired a nanny for the week so Mom wouldn’t be carrying kids up and down stairs while she was recovering, but I couldn’t put it past her to be stubborn and dismiss the woman before I returned. Mom had her pride.

Of course, I typed. I didn’t want to monopolize your time off with full-time babysitting, that’s all.

Mom’s school was back in session next Monday. I only got her to let the nanny in the door by appealing to her vacation time.

After rereading an email twice, I sighed.

Dad made me promise once I had a stable job after college that I’d take care of Mom if anything ever happened and I’m sure she knew that. If I broke my leg, I wouldn’t complain about getting help with the kids, and that was so much less serious than a heart attack!

Why did the women in my life have to insist on being so independent even when there was a need I could meet?

That’s what love was about, wasn’t it?

Give and take, having each other’s backs, etcetera.

 

****

 

The shuttle took forever to drop me at home. Traffic leaving LAX was a parking lot, then the shuttle stopped here, there, and everywhere on the way to my city. Loud, rattling, and the seats were horrible. Then I was barely out of the van before the guy peeled out of my driveway. I stretched my neck and my spine let out an ominous crack.

I needed to see the chiropractor tomorrow. And get in a swim.

But for now, drop shit inside and go pick up my kids.

The house was cold like the heat hadn’t run at all since I was gone. Hopefully not a sign of malfunction. I took my luggage up to the master bedroom than adjusted the thermostat to be comfortable by the time I returned with the kids.

Set the laptop on the charger in the office and went into the garage for the Lincoln.

My leather seats lent some sweet relief. I turned on the heat feature to soothe my back.

Mom’s Christmas lights were still up.

I rang the doorbell and heard thundering little feet.

Candace opened the door. “Daddy!” A toddler flew at me.

“Hi, princess. Were you good while I was gone?”

“Mr. Cord, welcome back,” the nanny said. She was forty at the oldest and wore a button-down shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Put together but appropriate for chasing children. Her ash blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. “Will you need anything tonight?”

“No, thank you.”

“Then I’ll be taking my leave.” She hoisted a tote purse on her shoulder. “Bye, Candace.”

My daughter tucked her head into my neck after a fleeting wave goodbye. The nanny left and I shut the door.

“Mom?”

“Back here!” Her voice came from the rear bathroom. Jordan wasn’t in the playpen.

I found her changing his diaper on the counter. “Hey.”

“Of course you arrive just after I’ve wiped a poopy butt.”

“I missed you, too, Mom.”

Jordan gnawed on his fist. She fastened the clean diaper on his hips and redressed him.

Mom settled him on her hip and shooed me out of the doorway.

We carried the kids into the kitchen.

“I suppose your fridge is empty.”

“There’s stuff in the freezer.”

She shook her head. “Nonsense.” Then laid Jordan in the playpen. “I’ll make supper and you can take the leftovers until you have a chance to go to the market.”

“Okay.” I sat on one of the dining chairs. Candace squirmed out of my arms and went into the living room. “What are you doing?” I called.

“It’s nap time,” Mom replied. “She’s going to lie on the sofa.”

I checked my watch. So it is. Especially with the excitement of me coming home. Jordan had already curled up on his side, thumb in his mouth and eyes closed.

She opened the fridge, taking inventory for dinner. Then poured me a glass of iced tea, sat down, and scrutinized me.

“What?”

“Trip went well?”

I shrugged. “I suppose.” I hadn’t told the kids I was seeing Kate when I left.

“You look more relaxed than when you left.”

“Mom…”

“What? I have some stake in this.”

“You’re interested. There’s a difference.”

A dismissive wave. “Semantics. So?”

“We reached an agreement.”

“Stop being evasive, Sam, and spit it out.”

“Fine, I have a long-distance girlfriend. Happy?”

Her expression turned smug. “For now.”