Free to Love

Chapter 74

Shawn

"You're not helping at all," Grace said with frustration as we sat at the dining room table, books and papers spread in front of us. "Did you ever even take algebra?"

I knew I wasn't much help, but I still felt a little defensive. "Yes, I took algebra, but I had to take it online since I was on tour. I remember some of this stuff, just not everything. It's been a long time!"

"Chill, Dad. I wasn't implying you are stupid or something. I just need help from someone who knows how to do this. I have a test today!"

With perfect timing, Joanna walked down the stairs carrying a stack of broken-down boxes.

"I got the last of the things in our room unpacked," she said before walking out to the garage to add to the huge stack of flattened moving boxes.

"I need help," Grace said when Jo reappeared. "Dad doesn't understand binomial equations."

"I can't guarantee I'll be much better," my wife said as she took over my seat next to our daughter.

Ten minutes later the homework problems had been figured out.

Grace packed up her stuff and grinned. "Thanks, Mom. You're the best." She then ran up the stairs to her new bedroom to get ready for school.

I sighed after my firstborn was gone.

Joanna looked at me, "She only means I'm the best at math."

"Yeah, right," I said. "Is Nolan up, yet?"

"He was in the shower when I finished unpacking. I heard Stella's alarm go off, so she should be down here in a minute."

Like clockwork, the youngest Mendes came down the stairs.

"Daddy, can you please do my hair?" she asked.

Now this was something I was the best at. Stella had more curl and texture to her hair than her mom, so she often wore it in braids or other cute styles. I'd decided to master her gorgeous hair when she started school, since my wife was busy making breakfast and packing lunches every morning. I ended up being better at it than Joanna.

"What are you thinking today?" I asked as she took a seat in front of me.

"Space buns."

"Not much of a challenge, but okay," I said. Within minutes, Stella had two perfectly round buns on her head.

"Can you hang up my posters while I'm at school?" she asked me.

Joanna placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of her. "Your dad and I will try to get them up today. I promise."

Just then, Nolan bounded down the stairs. He grabbed his plate from the kitchen and sat down across from Stella. Gracie had eaten before studying and was now probably coordinating the perfect Tuesday outfit. She was a beauty like her mom had been, but unlike Mal, she was obsessed with fashion.

"These eggs are great, Mom," Nolan said after eating half his plate in two bites.

Joanna got up and brought the pan in to serve him more. He was growing like a weed and ate more food than you'd think could fit in his stomach. He resembled me so much at this age, it was uncanny. His ears were a bit big for his head, and he had a mouth full of braces.

He looked over at his older sister's phone which had been left on the table. She was probably going through withdrawal from not having it up in her room. "Some guy keeps texting Grace. He's blowing up her phone."

I knew my expression showed my discomfort with the idea of Grace possibly having a boyfriend, because Joanna started to laugh when she looked at me.