While Desiree and the girls shopped and sipped overpriced lattes, Alessia stopped by and blessed us with her colorful presence. I love when she drops in, even though it always pokes at my guilt a little. That’s been a recurring theme in my life. Sophia once helped me reframe it, seeing adulthood as just a constant juggling act. No one’s actually keeping score. Everyone’s busy. No genuine friend expects perfection. Still, I wish I were better at showing up for the people I love outside these walls. My life has always been crazy—and thanks to Logan, it still is—but sometimes I wonder if I hide behind that word too easily.
Speaking of Logan, the terrible toddler era has officially arrived, and our young fella has stepped fully into his role as Head Honcho. I thought Desi had us wrapped around her finger back in the day, but Logan has blown past her record. He runs this house now, and he knows it—especially when it comes to bedtime and wake-up time. Neither sparks joy around here. He fights sleep like it personally offended him. When he’s exhausted and about to pass out, he’s furious. Then he wakes up way too early and is furious because he’s still tired. It’s a lose-lose situation, and we are clearly the interns in this operation.
As if on cue, a loud clap of thunder cracked through the sky that morning, jolting us awake. Sophia and I groaned in unison, already knowing what was coming next.
Like clockwork, Logan made his entrance. He hollered for me first, but when I tried to comfort him, he shoved me away and immediately started demanding juice and crackers from Sophia—classic bedtime stall tactics, repurposed for morning crankiness.
Once he got confirmation that everything he requested was in motion, he plastered on a grin bright enough to power the neighborhood, like he hadn’t just cried a river thirty seconds earlier. Little stinker. Someone should give him an award for that performance.
While the two of them negotiated the terms of his existence, I went downstairs to start breakfast for the grown folks. The day was gloomy, cold, and sucked inspiration right out of me. On days like that, I lean on the classics. Bacon and eggs was all my brain could manage.
Not that long ago—honestly, even recently—I used to crave simple, boring Saturdays like this. Now that they’re here, I realize they’re a sign of things settling into the way they’re supposed to be. Normal isn’t boring. It’s earned. And for the first time, I actually got to sit on the couch and watch cartoons with my little guy. He enjoyed it a lot.
About an hour into Catastrophy Kid, Justin called to ask if he could stop by. That’s when it hit me—we’d never followed up. He had no idea how Sophia and I were doing or whether we were even still together. But he knows us. He’s one of our biggest cheerleaders. I’m sure he knew divorce was never really on the table, no matter how many warnings Sophia gave about not making it. I hung up and said goodbye to our pajama day as we scrambled upstairs to throw on real clothes before his arrival.
The knock echoed just as I parked Logan back on the couch. The second Justin stepped into the foyer, warmth flooded my chest. I don’t think we truly know where we stand with our friends until life knocks us sideways. Justin had been a lighthouse for me when everything felt foggy.
“It’s so good to see you,” I said.
“I’m glad to see you,” he replied, smiling. “You look happy.”
“I am happy. Things have been really good. I never properly thanked you … For everything.”
“No need,” he said. “Where I’m from, that’s what friends do.”
“We must be from the same place,” I said, chuckling. “But seriously though … Thank you for listening.”
“Don’t mention it.” His eyes shifted past me. “Now who is this big boy, and where did the baby go?”
“I ask myself that every day.” I said, motioning him closer. “Logan, this is Daddy’s friend, Uncle Justin. Remember him?”
Justin laughed. “He wouldn’t. He wasn’t even talking when I met him.”
“I’m gonna talk to Uncle Justin,” I told Logan. “You gonna stay here and watch cartoons?”
Logan hopped off the couch and marched straight toward him. “I watch catoons wif Unca Jussy!”
“We’re going in the kitchen,” I said. “How you gonna do that?”
He plopped down on the floor with his back to us, eyes locked on the TV. “I sit here an I watch.”
“Alright then.”
“They’re so smart at that age,” Justin said.
“Too smart,” I agreed.
“So,” he asked, lowering his voice, “things okay between you and Sophia?”
“Better than okay,” I said. “I needed time to process what she said at your place, but once I did, we really talked. Not just about that, but everything. I don’t even think we’re back to normal. I think we’re better than that.”
Justin nodded. “That’s what happens when you stop hiding from the truth.”
“Preach.” I sighed. “As for Chi Chi … We haven’t talked to her yet. It feels too soon, but I know we can’t put it off forever.”
“Don’t let it drag on,” he said gently. “That’s how things turn into problems.”
“Hi, Uncle Justin,” Desiree said, appearing beside me like she’d been summoned.
“Oh, she lives,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes. “You’re so embarrassing.”
And just like that, the house felt full again.
