Love isn't easy

Chapter 29: September 2023

September 2023

Thirty-four-year-old Lisa lays on the couch, flat on her back, with almost eight-year-old Coraline resting face down on her chest. Nearly thirty-one-year-old Roseanne had taken six-year-old Annie and four-year-old Mattheo to the grocery store with her. It was supposed to be a family outing since shopping always went faster when Roseanne and Lisa tackled it together, but at the last minute, they decided Lisa would stay behind because two-year-old Rose had fallen asleep after lunch, and waking her was not an option unless they wanted to put up with unhappy shrieking for the next few hours. Coraline asked if she could stay behind with Lisa and Roseanne agreed. The fewer kids she had to wrangle by herself the better. With Rose asleep and everyone else out of the house, Lisa and Coraline were enjoying some much-needed alone time.

Lisa rubs her hands up and down Coraline's back while Coraline rants about whatever story she's telling now.

"That was when grandma said we couldn't have any more sweets. But it was unfair because I just got there. They were the ones who got to eat most of the candy. Not me. It wasn't nice."

"Well, grandma was only making sure none of you got sick."

"But they got to eat way more than I did. How is that fair?"

Coraline grouses and Lisa kisses the top of her head while chuckling.

"Things aren't always fair Co."

"I don't like it."

Coraline replies obstinately and Lisa laughs with more gusto.

"I know you don't."

They lay in comfortable silence. Coraline wraps her arms around Lisa tighter and nuzzles further into her chest.

"Have you figured out what you're getting mom for her birthday yet? It's in a couple of weeks."

"I have fifty-two dollars and thirteen cents. I counted."

"That's a lot! Good job Co. You could get her something really nice with fifty dollars. Do you have anything in mind?"

Coraline shakes her head against Lisa's chest.

"No. Maybe we could go to the store and see."

"We can do that, but you could also make her something. That way you don't have to spend what's in your piggy bank. It's an option too. It could make it more special."

"You think?"

Coraline looks up at Lisa. Lisa nods.

"I do."

"What could I make her?"

"I don't know. What comes to mind?"

Coraline contemplates for a long while before a smile creeps in her face.

"I could make up a song."

"That could be nice. I think mom would love it."

"But songs need music and I don't know how to do that."

"You could sing it to her without music."

"That doesn't sound fun."

"Hmmm...maybe it doesn't. How can we fix that?"

Coraline is uncommonly expressive and Lisa can tell she's thinking quite hard just by looking at her face. The wheels are definitely spinning inside that little blonde head.

"Do you know how to make music?"

"I don't. I'm not very artsy like your mom. I can't play instruments or anything like that."