True Read Free Page B

second, I don’t move thinking Alex will answer the door but I remember that he’s been in Pennsylvania for two days. I glance over at the bedside clock.
    9:30 am. Shit!
    I can’t believe the girls and I have slept this late. I jump out of bed, then quickly peek in on my daughters who are still sleeping and make my way downstairs to the door.
    The bell chimes a third time followed by sharp knocking. I pull aside the curtain in the living room to see the familiar silver minivan parked in my driveway.
    “Well, good morning Dee.” I swing open the front door with fake enthusiasm.
    “Nice of you to finally answer.” Dee eyes me suspiciously before brushing past with baby Luke on her hip, followed by four-year-old Jack, seven-year-old Tucker and nine-year-old Colton.
    Yeah, so obviously DeeDee and Cole hit it off right away, too.
    A year after we all met at the Dreamfest concert, Dee and Cole were married and pregnant with Colton. They’ve been pretty vocal about wanting to have a large family from the very beginning. DeeDee turned out to be a great mom with the patience of a saint. She stays home full time with them and doesn’t seem to mind chaos.
    Dee never spoke to Joey again. Last we heard he finished school and moved down to South Beach. From what we can tell by his Facebook page, he’s into men now. Which in retrospect makes sense considering how they both went through a Jack and Rose phase together. Joey was always completely on board with reenacting scenes from the Titanic with Dee and game for singing Grease duets at karaoke. Yeah, I totally get it now.
    “Were you still asleep, Court!” This was not a question from her but an accusation. Dee plops baby Luke on the living room floor. “Where are the girls?” She reaches into her large purse that also doubles as a diaper bag and proceeds to change him.
    “I was just about to wake them up. We had a late night that involved a princess movie marathon.”
    “Aunt Court, can we wake dem up?” Jack asks. I nod, and the faces of all three boys immediately light up with mischief before they are charging up the stairs. Soon there is squealing and laughter followed by jumping and excited chatter. The kids love seeing each other, but since DeeDee and Cole live in the next town over it makes visits harder to coordinate.
    Speaking of visits.
    “So what’s up, Dee? I’m sorry. My mind has been so scattered with Jordyn being sick and trying to work from home the past few days. Did we have plans?”
    “No, I sent you a text about an hour ago. I guess you never got it.” She finishes up changing Luke and walks to the kitchen to throw out the diaper. “Cole was supposed to take care of the boys while I go get stuff for the retirement party this afternoon, except, he went to referee a soccer game instead. He says he forgot that he committed to doing it, but I’m not sure I believe him.” I heard the clattering of cabinets and the closing of doors. “Anyway, he’s usually not much help, he’ll just call me every five minutes to either ask where something is or find out what time I’ll be home to relieve him of his duties.” I smirk to myself because it’s true. While Cole is a great dad, he’s not able to handle being home alone with all four boys for long.
    “I wanted to go to a couple of shops over here anyway. Do you and the girls want to come with?” She steps out of the kitchen nibbling on one of the blueberry muffins I made yesterday. “Hey, I started some coffee.” She mumbles with her mouth full.
    “Um, thanks. Dee, isn’t it going to be hard to shop with six kids, though?” I ask, not at all thrilled by the thought of going around town with six energetic kids in tow, and yet wanting to avoid a possible offer to keep them all here while she goes off on her own.
    “Nah, I don’t have much to do plus I want to hang with my best friend. I’ve got a coupon for that ice cream place the kids love. We’ll use that as their reward for good