Logan has officially entered his “shadow” era. He follows Desiree everywhere, talks her ear off, and disturbs her peace every chance he gets. As an only child for most of her life, she’d gotten used to privacy. Now there’s always the patter of tiny feet in the hallway or a chubby hand twisting her doorknob. As a big brother myself, I know exactly how annoying that can be. I thought about asking how she was handling the change, but then I’d see her crouched beside him, wiping his chin or fixing his breakfast without anyone asking. She’ll roll her eyes and act over it, but she’s still wrapped around his little blue finger.
Passing the window, I caught sight of the half-finished treehouse I’ve been meaning to build. Dad and I never got around to it when Desi was little. Maybe Sophia and I will finally make it happen for Logan. If we’re lucky, maybe Desi will pitch in when she’s not too busy charming the universe and pretending she’s too cool for us.
Sophia came down soon after and suggested we take him to the splash park once it warms up. Not a bad idea. It’d be his first outing and his first water adventure all in one. We didn’t take Desi many places when she was small, either, so it’s not like we’ve been trying to hide him from the world. I can’t lie, though. A small part of me wonders if the world is ready for him. Friends and family, sure—they’ve embraced him completely. But a blue alien toddler wandering the park? That’s new territory.
Logan woke up early and burned through his energy fast. By the end of breakfast, he was one yawn away from collapse, loudly demanding someone fix the situation. His screams are still echoey and loud enough to register on a Richter scale, but at least they’ve lost that newborn screech. Sophia scooped him from his high chair, and he passed out cold in her arms like someone unplugged him. Desi finished eating and announced she was going out later with friends. It wasn’t the “I’m going out” part that got me—it was the smugness, like she was doing us a favor by informing us. This was not one of those times I felt like letting it slide, but I was too stunned to figure out where to start. Fortunately, Sophia intercepted with surgical precision.
“Come again?” she asked.
“It’s Savannah and Stacey’s birthday today! Me, Bre, Jacqui, and Savannah are going shopping since we can’t go to their birthday party.”
I liked that she and Savannah kept in touch. Sometimes I thought about asking if she knew anything about Stacey or where they’d moved. And yeah, Yasmine crept into my mind now and then, admittedly. I hope she found some peace far away from that wacko.
“Oh, I see,” Sophia said smoothly. “Did you clear it with your dad?”
Desi peeked over her shoulder, silently begging for backup. Not today, champ.
“I’m … clearing it now?”
Sophia folded her arms. “That’s not how this works, and you know it.”
I didn’t even have to look up to sense the epic eye-roll that followed.
“We’re just going to Thrift-Tea, not Sulani! It’s not a big deal!”
“Maybe not,” Sophia said evenly, “but your entitlement is. Graduating early doesn’t make you grown. You’re still a teenager, and you still ask before leaving this house.”
At that point, I should’ve grabbed popcorn. Even with Desi’s back turned, I could feel the teenage fury radiating off her like a space heater.
“UUUUGGGGGHHHH! You guys are ridiculous! You never let me have any fun! I’m not a little kid anymore!! Why are you like this?!
She kept going, and Sophia just stood there, waiting her out like a professional storm watcher. I swear, watching her in full mom mode has become one of my favorite pastimes. Her calm steadiness is such a turn-on.
“Are you quite done?” she asked once the noise died off.
I watched Desi’s stiff shoulders soften as she calmed herself—reluctantly, no doubt.
“All you have to do is ask, sweet potato.”
You could almost hear Desi’s teeth grinding. I hid my grin. Clearly, I was enjoying the show a bit too much.
“Can I go??” she asked through gritted teeth.
“Sure. Was that so hard?”
Desi growled, stomped upstairs, and slammed her door for good measure.
End scene.
As Desi would say, it’s giving Starlight Accolades.
