Page 53 of Every Broken Thing

Anna bared her teeth and growled as Lily giggled, her tiny fingers tugging on my hair until I feared for my scalp. The possibility of balding notwithstanding, it was impossible to say no to Lily’s tight, dark curls and big, brown, baby eyes. She was adorable.

“No biting.” Lily smacked my head with surprising strength for a child, and Anna snorted into her hand. “Mama says that’s not nice.”

“Sorry, Lily Bug.” I poked her belly, making her giggle, as she placed a butterfly clip to the hair above my ear.

She’d grown at least an inch since Sadie’s wedding in the spring, and guilt settled in my gut at the reminder of the months passed without contact. We weren’t the kind of family to always spend time together, but going half a year without seeing each other was depressing.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I tugged it out as Lily whined at my motion, smacking my head again. Apparently, Sadie didn’t teach the ‘no hitting’ rules yet, and I winced, stilling my movements as I opened my phone.

Ben: Happy Thanksgiving. Having fun?

I grinned as my fingers flew over my screen, Ben’s text enough to distract me from the strands of hair currently being ripped from my scalp.

Silas: Well, if getting my hair pulled out by a four-year-old as my humiliation is captured on film means having fun, then yes!

Ben: Hahaha. Please tell me you have photographic evidence.

Silas: Evidence you’ll never see.

Ben: You’re no fun.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled, my laugh quickly turning to a hiss as the sensitive hairs at the back of my head twisted between tiny fingers. “Ouch! Careful, Bug.”

“Sowwy.” Lily petted my neck in apology as I returned my attention back to my phone.

Silas: Like you’d ever voluntarily embarrass yourself for me.

Ben: I’m not the one currently being humiliated. Please?

“Hey, Lily, you want to be in a picture with me?” I asked, and the child squealed in delight as she plopped her tiny body in my lap.

I put my phone in selfie mode and inwardly cringed at the array of hair accessories in my hair. But how could I complain when faced with Lily’s huge grin as she beamed at the camera? Cocking my head to the side, I crossed my eyes and stuck out my tongue, and Lily shrieked with laughter as I captured a few photos in quick succession.

“Oh my God, those are adorable!” Anna cooed as Sadie appeared in the doorway, her hair pulled into a messy bun at her neck.

“Anna, can you help me for a sec?” she asked, and Anna jumped to her feet to obey. “Looks cute, Silas.”

Sadie winked, and I stuck out my tongue at her as she and her sister disappeared. Choosing the best picture of Lily laughing, I sent it to Ben with a group of emojis to communicate my feigned annoyance and embarrassment.

Silas: Evidence of my abuse. Come save me!

Ben: I was drinking when I saw this and spewed apple cider all over Uncle Henry’s sister. Thanks for that! Lol but you look great.

Silas: Thanks. I’m hoping to start a new fashion trend.

Lily remained in my lap, playing with the sleeves of my sweater, and I rested my chin on her head as my eyes flitted to the family room where the men were watching football. Dad, Uncle Rick, Will, and Sadie’s twin brother Remy, clustered around the flat-screen, shouting at the referee’s poor call. Cora’s wistful tone lilted from the kitchen as she talked about the pregnancy and assisted with the food preparation. And I was on babysitting duty, cuddling Lily as she hummed tunelessly under her breath.

I sighed in contentment. Not many places felt like home anymore, but to find a piece of it, even if it was short-lived, was comforting.

The ping of my phone interrupted my reverie, and I opened Ben’s text with a giddy grin.

Ben: If anyone can pull off that hairstyle it’s you.

Silas: Fuck you.

Ben: Seriously. It’s chic.

Silas: Do you even know what chic means?

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