Page 28 of Every Breath

“Saturday. Maybe Grandma can take me to her house Saturday morning because her parents will take us to the movies, then we’re going skating.”

“Hmm, I’ll call her mother to check, but I don’t see why not.”

“Does that mean I’m going to be stuck with Grandma and Granddad by myself on Saturday? They’re cool, but they always do old people stuff.” DJ scowled.

“Not if you don’t want to. And just remember you’ll be old one day, too, if you’re lucky, so how about cutting them some slack, okay? They really enjoy your visits.”

“Sorry.”

“All right, but you should be more aware of what you say, because you can hurt people’s feelings.” She gave her son a brief smile. He was a good kid and she knew he meant no harm by his comment. “Maybe we can do something together. A movie perhaps?”

“That sounds cool, but I don’t want to see a girlie movie, okay, Mom?” Her son was making a skyscraper out of his mashed potatoes.

“And what do you consider a girlie movie?”

“Any movie with people crying, and old women.”

Brandi had to cover her mouth. Her children always said the craziest things. “I see. I suppose you would like to see something with lots of blood, guts, and guns?”

“Well, yeah. That would be cool. I wouldn’t mind seeing Blood Ring, with Jean Stallone-Segal.”

“Yuck. Isn’t he that horrible actor who can barely speak English?” Brandi frowned.

“Jean Stallone-Segal kicks butt, Mom!”

“You know we’re not allowed to watch those types of movies,” Mya piped up, her mouth full of chicken.

‘Mya, I don’t need you to speak for me.” She gave her daughter a stern look before turning back to her son. “You know I’m not going to allow you to watch something like that. You’ll have nightmares.”

“Aww, Mom. I’m not a baby.” DJ looked mulish.

“I know you’re not, but I’m still not letting you watch something as violent as

Blood Ring sounds. Maybe we can see a nice family comedy.”

DJ looked less than enthusiastic.

“Hey, don’t look so sad about hanging out with your old Mom.”

“It’s not that it’s just…” his voice trailed off.

“Just what?” Brandi prompted, frowning at DJ’s worried expression.

“It will be just you and me? No Uncle Rodney?”

She frowned. That seemed like an odd question because she thought her kids loved Rodney. “Yes, sweetie, it will be just you and me. Do you have a problem with Rodney?”

DJ didn’t say anything.

“DJ, you do like him, don’t you?”

“I liked him better when he was just Daddy’s friend.”

It never occurred to her that DJ wouldn’t like Rodney. Why was it that everyone suddenly seemed to be having issues with him, and why hadn’t she realized it before?

“Do you feel this way, too, Mya?”

“He’s okay. He brings me toys.” Her daughter shrugged and stuffed some peas in her mouth.

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