The Life Of Michael Afton

{6} Lie

After a good cry, Kathy gets up to prepare for the day. She can't let her children see her like this, after all. So she folds up her turmoil and puts it on the back of her mind like it's a shirt she never wears. For the children, she thinks. If for nothing else, then for the children.

A hot shower helps ease her mind off William, and she feels much better in fresh clothes. Brushing out her short black hair, Kathy can hear the sound of her children awakening in their room. She smiles, finishing her task and going along to the kitchen.

The familiar motions of cooking scrambled eggs is soothing, and by the time the toddlers reach the table she's successfully moved William down to her second priority—below her and the twins' growling stomachs. After boosting them into their high chairs, they eagerly scarf down the cheese-infused eggs, only slowing down when Kathy admonishes them so they don't choke. She takes it as a compliment to her cooking, though, that a pair of toddlers will eat a whole plate in less than ten minutes. While spilling relatively little, might she add.

After breakfast, she takes their plates to the dishwasher, trusting them at this age to turn her back on them. Their constant chatter is a reassuring sign that they're all right, the sound settling into an ambient background noise as it so often does for her.

When she turns off the sink, though, both of them are quiet. Unease settles in her, and Kathy turns after drying her hands. "Is something wrong, my gems?"

Imira begins to open her mouth, then closes it. Michael takes over for his quiet twin, "Why isn't Daddy here?"

Kathy inhales. She expected this, the twins are rather observant when they want to be. That doesn't mean she knows how to deal with it though.

"Daddy, um, is at work." She hopes the twins won't catch her lie. But she knows she doesn't hide it well.

Michael tilts his head, "it's morning though..."

Kathy prepares to come up with another excuse, but Imira pats his hand and Michael redirects his attention, looking curiously at his sister. Grateful for the distraction, Kathy looks for something to occupy the twins with. Just go back to routine, Kathy. You can deal with William later when he comes home.

Kathy really hopes she can hold it together until then. She can't break down in front of her kids.

The day calms after that, letting Kathy fall into her usual routine of teaching them all she can in preparation for kindergarten, even though it's more than two years away. Still, she wants her children to learn as much as she can teach. So they talk and learn new words and read picture books all day. It's a pleasant way to pass the time, her children interested in the books and music and happily learning with her. By dinner time, Kathy has forgotten about William completely, so Imira's question comes completely out of the blue.

"Maman, will Daddy be here tomorrow morning?" Startled, Kathy nearly drops her fork.

"Oh, yes, I think so. Do you miss Daddy?"

The little girl nods. "Yeah! I wanted to show him my drawing of a puppy."

"Well, when he comes back, you can show him your drawing. I'm sure he'll be so proud of you."

Imira nods, returning to her food. "Okay, Maman."

Kathy worries after she puts them to bed, though. Hopefully William will return tonight. But just in case, she changes into her sleep clothes and gets a book. Just in case he's late, she tells herself. Just in case. He won't be late again.

Right...

619 words
3/30/23