Sleeping with a lie

(45)

Theo P.O.V

At last, my children were asleep. I clean the rest of the spaghetti stained dishes from the sink. My hands foam with soap. Alarmingly, the door bell rings. I jog to open it. Hopefully the kids would stay asleep.

Once I answer the door, Shailene's mother stands in the door way.

"Lori!" I welcome excitedly.

"Can I come in?" She looked tired. I welcomed her in, and offer her a drink.

She commands us to sit at the table. I twiddle my thumbs up and down. Her brunette hair hung over her shoulder. She looked very much like Shailene.

"You miss her, don't you?" She figured. "One week can turn to three, soon she'll be staying there for months."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Shailene is staying in the U.K... isn't she?"

"She went there to die."

I rub the tears from my face. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Well, it's sort of hard to say that you went somewhere to die. Leaving your kids and such."

"She still- I love her." I grip the end of the table. "I quit so many things for her. I had three beautiful children with her. She can't die on me."

"Cancer is something that runs through the family. I'm sorry, Theo." She holds my hand tightly. "Tomorrow I am going to this event that my church is holding. I was wondering if you would come with me. You know, bring the kids, and have fun. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs, a little 'God's children Auction'. It'll be fun."

"Without Shailene, that would seem a bit different you think?"

Carson Rae whines from his bassinet. I grab him and come back to our conversation.

"He wants grandma." Lori takes Carson Rae from my arms. Sitting him down on her lap.

"It would be good for the family." She smiled at her grandson. "God is good, especially during this time. Which makes him awesome."

"Hmm. Alright, We will try to make it. Is there a theme?"

"Dress appropriately. More like Sunday best. You know how to do that, don't you?"

Was she downsizing me?

"Of course."

"And the kids?"

"I already bought Belle and the boys something. I measured them, so no worries." She glanced at the time. "Ooh, gotta go. Need to set up for the big day. Call me."

I open the door for her. Not realizing Carson was still in her arms, I easily take him from her. We wave goodbye. I watch her as she drove down the street.

Closing the door, Carson naws at his finger. "Your Mother is an amazing woman." I say to my son. "I hope you come to notice that."