Page 289 of The Bonus

“Yeah, well…I’m watching television. What do you want, Dad?”

Gabriel pretends to choke the air.

I giggle, the kids’ cheekiness is beginning to grate on him, the novelty of being a new father is wearing off.

“Come in here now!” I call more sternly.

“Ugh,” I hear Dominic moan; he and Lucy eventually drag themselves into our bedroom.

“You two behave for Deb this weekend, please,” Gabriel says.

“Yes.”

“And go to bed when she tells you, none of this we’re-allowed-to-stay-up-late business,” I tell them.

“And nobody is allowed in the hot tub or pool.” Gabriel frowns. “Actually, nobody is allowed outside without Mark or Debbie with you.”

“Yes, okay.”

“And you have your phones, you can call us at any time,” he adds. “I put Mom’s number in there for you too.”

“All right.”

The door clicks. “Deb’s here.”

“Hello,” she calls.

The kids and I run to the top of the stairs to see Deb and Mark walking through the front door.

“Deb,” they cry as they run down the stairs while I hobble along behind them. They hug her while I wait my turn and I grab her in a bear hug. “Oh my god, I missed you.” I hold her tight.

There is no better friend in the world than my beautiful Deb.

“Holy shit. Look at this place,” she gasps as she looks around.

“Hello, Debbie.” Gabriel smiles awkwardly, he gives her a quick peck on the cheek.

“Hello.”

“Thank you so much for doing this for us.”

“It’s my pleasure.” She takes the kids by the hands. “Show me around, then.”

Gabriel and Mark stay in the living room, chatting, and to the sounds of oohs and ahhs, the kids and I show her around. We get to our bedroom and her eyes widen. “You’re fucking kidding me, right?” she whispers as she stares out over the view.

“This is my wardrobe.” I open the door to show her.

Her eyes widen. “What the hell, it’s bigger than my bedroom.”

I get the giggles. “Stupid.”

“Oh jeez.” She looks around with her hands on her hips. “A weekend here is going to be tough.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” The kids run out of the room, bored with our conversation.

“Yep.” She smiles. “And Mark is staying with me if I need anything.”

“He’s staying here.” I frown. “In this apartment?”

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