"Hi, Bri," Jocie says as Bri walks into the kitchen, "How are you?"
"I'm okay," Bri says as she just stands in the entrance of the hallway.
"Why don't you come and sit down?" I suggest to Bri. I know if I don't tell her that then she will just try and go back to her bedroom.
She sits down next to Colton and crosses her arms. I give her 'the look.' Everyone always says as a parent that you will always have that look to give to your kids. I didn't believe it until I actually had kids. There really is a look.
"So what are you doing here?" Bri asks.
"Well your dad doesn't go to parties," Jocie says as she fiddles with one of the dinosaurs the boys gave her. "So I decided to come say hi to you guys. I haven't properly met you guys yet and I wanted to."
"You do know that we are his kids, right?"
Jocie looks at her confused and I give Bri the look once again. I swear she is going to be grounded if she doesn't act her age and be polite. We didn't raise her to be this way.
"Yes," Jocie chuckles lightly. "Everyone always talks about how much they love you guys and I wanted to join in on the loving. I love kids."
"Good to know," Bri mumbles.
"You are excused," I say to Bri.
"I'll stay," she says.
"No," I say calmly. "Go to your room, please."
She stands up from her chair and walks down the hallway to go to her bedroom. The door slams and I let out a deep breathe.
"I'm sorry," I say.
Jocie smiles, "That's alright. I used to be the same way as a teenager. I understand."
***
"Goodnight, kiddos. I love you guys."
"I love you, dad," Colton and Denton both say.
I leave there room and I walk to Bri's room. I open the door a bit to see her completely knocked out on her bed. I figured she would just go to bed right away.
Quietly I shut her door and I walk to the living room where Jocie is. I told her to wait on the couch while I put the kids to sleep. I knew it wouldn't take me long. They were all extremely tired.
I walk over to the couch and I sit down next to Jocie who takes a sip of her wine. Sadie always said we had to have wine when guests came over, so that's what I did.
"Your days seem hectic," she chuckles.
"Trust me, they can be very crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world," I say.
"I wouldn't either if I were you," she says. "They are really good kids."
I smile, "Sadie and I tried our best to teach them manners and politeness. Sometimes that doesn't work though."
She shrugs her shoulders, "They are kids. That's what is going to happen. I know you weren't a perfect kid."
"What?" I say sarcastically, "I was the most perfect kid ever. I never caused any problems."
She starts laughing, "I find that very hard to believe. I'm sure you were a hellion."
"Just maybe," I say with a smirk on my face.
She takes another sip of her wine, so I decide to apologize about Bri, "I'm sorry about Bri. She just doesn't take things well these days."
"What do you mean?"
