Page 67 of Broken Grump

However, it just doesn’t make sense for me to feel so intensely connected and bonded to her unless she is my own flesh and blood. Unless, of course, it’s just because she’s the closest person to Addie—

Ahhh!My mind can continue in a never-ending loop like this forever. And once I close my eyes and try to go to sleep, it does. But once the sun rises, and I’m back in business mode—or atleast when I’m not around Addie—I can usually manage to turn it on.

“Uh. No sign of Randall this morning yet, huh?”

She looks around. “Um, no. Not yet. What time did he say he’d meet us?”

“9:30.” When I check my watch, I see that it’s just about 9:40 a.m.

“I’m sure he’ll be here,” Addie says while rocking back and forth on her heels.

“Yeah, I’m sure. I mean, it can’t be easy getting out the door in the morning with all of those kids.”

“Tell me about it. It’s hard enough with just one.”

There we go. Circling right back to Luna. The tiniest in stature but still the biggest elephant in the room.

Thankfully, Randall soon breaks the ice by approaching with a tray of coffee.

Never did I think I’d be so grateful to see you.

“Good morning, you two. I’m so sorry I’m late.”

“That’s okay,” Addie and I say at the same time.

“But I’ve brought coffee to hopefully make amends for my tardiness.”

We both accept one and take careful sips of the hot beverages.

“Seriously, it’s fine. I understand how difficult it can be to get children ready in the morning.”

Randall rolls his eyes and chuckles. “I just have to keep reminding myself over and over again that they’re the Lord’s little blessings.”

“Right.”

He balls up one of his fists and raises it into the air. “Even when they’re fighting over whose toothbrush is whose or blaming each other for the ‘spooky dooky’ that was left overnight in the toilet.”

I just about spit out the liquid in my mouth at the mention of the “spooky dooky.”

“What’s that exactly?” I have to ask.

“It’s a—” He pauses to turn away from Addie. “It’s a rather large poo that appears mysteriously and backs up all the pipes.”

“Oh, okay.” I suppose I could’ve guessed at least some of that.

“But enough of that. Let’s carry on.”

He walks in front of us, and Addie comes right beside me.

“What did he say?”

I grimace. “Oh, sweet, cherubic Adriana. I couldn’t dare speak of such grotesque things to a fine woman like you!”

“Oh, shut up!” She snickers and then knocks my shoulder with hers.

***

After showing Randall the new plans and pointing out how they will incorporate themselves onto the land, I let the playful mood of the morning get the best of me. And I make the stupid mistake of telling him that we have a construction team all lined up.

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