“I have to be up in four hours.”
“So do I.”
“No, you don’t.”
I froze.
“What does that mean?”
“You can sleep when they sleep.”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I got up.
“What does that mean?”
Luke was still crying when Derek pulled the blanket over his shoulder.
***
Three nights later, Mom called.
“My car won’t start. I can’t make it over.”
I looked at the twins. Both badly needed a bath.
“It’s okay, Mom.”
“Don’t try bathing them alone.”
“My car won’t start. I can’t make it over.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise?”
“I’ll wait for Derek to get home. Promise.”
When he came home, I met him near the kitchen.
“I need you to bathe the boys tonight.”
He dropped his keys into the bowl.
“I need you to bathe the boys tonight.”
“I just walked in, Hope. Don’t you think you’re being a bit ridiculous right now?”
“I know.”
“Skip it.”
“They need one.”
“Use a washcloth and warm water. That’s what tired mothers do.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit ridiculous right now?”
“Derek.”
He sighed.
“I’ve been working all day.”
“So have I.”
He looked at me like I’d said something ridiculous.
“Why should I have to come home and take care of the kids too?”
“I’ve been working all day.”
I stopped.
“Too?”
“What?”
“You said ‘too.'”
“So?”
“You think this is what I do after my day?”
“You stay home.”
I stopped.
“With Luke and Miles.”
“You stay home and do nothing all day.”
For once, I didn’t defend myself.
I just said, “Okay.”
Derek frowned.
“Okay what?”
“Nothing.”
I didn’t defend myself.
He stared at me.
“Don’t do that calm thing.”
“What calm thing?”
“The thing where you stop talking.”
He knew I hated conflict and usually kept talking until everybody felt better.
Mostly him.
