Page 72 of Eternally London

“She likes cracking the eggs. It’s her favorite part.” She looks to Lindi, “You love the eggs, don’t you? You’re my official egg cracker.”

She smiles wide as Lindi claps for herself, flinging some egg goop onto the counter.

I can’t help but smile. “You know, I don’t even think I could crack an egg right, Mom.”

“Well, that’s because I wasn’t a good mom to you. I should have taught you how to cook and clean. I’m sorry. I’m going to be a better grandma.”

I give my mom a side hug. “You were an amazing mom. I don’t need to know how to do those things. I can hire people to help me.”

“Exactly my point,” my mom says with a roll of her eyes.

Loïc has been out of the hospital for a couple of weeks now. He’s still a little sore in places, but he’s doing well. Right after New Year’s, Georgia and Paige went back to their lives in Michigan, and my dad went back to Portland where he’s currently working. But my mom asked if she could stay and help. I was hesitant at first. I thought it might be weird, having my mom around twenty-four hours a day, but it’s actually been quite incredible. She’s been so helpful around the house while Loïc recovers. Lindi adores her grandma, and it’s been a great time for them to bond as well.

“All I’m saying is that the cookies are going to have some crunch to them now.” I watch as Lindi dumps in the capful of vanilla, but only a splash goes into the batter, as the majority is currently running down her arm.

“I picked most of the shells out. Any little pieces left will give the cookies texture, like adding nuts.”

“Eggshells and nuts are not the same.” I chuckle. I remember my current task at hand. “So, you really haven’t seen my purse anywhere?”

My mom assures me that she hasn’t, so I scour the rest of the rooms in the house. Walking into Lindi’s room, I feel silly that I didn’t check in here first, as she’s currently obsessed with all of my stuff—purses, makeup, and jewelry. She’s a little diva baby.

In the center of the floor, atop Lindi’s fluffy faux zebra fur rug, is my purse, and all its contents have been spread around. I gather my stuff and remove the items Lindi has put inside the bag, which include a purple plastic princess fork from her tea set, a sock, a giraffe figurine, a hair bow, and a can of soup.

How did this girl sneak a can of soup from the kitchen and into her room without anyone noticing?I laugh to myself.

I leave her items in a pile on the rug and throw my stuff back in, double-checking that I have my wallet and car keys.

“Lindi Blue”—I hold up my purse when I get back to the kitchen—“you took Mommy’s purse,” I say in a goofy voice.

Lindi laughs.

“You silly girl.” I tickle her belly.

“Well, it sounds like she needs a purse,” my mom says. “I can take her shopping for one.”

“She has, like, five, Mom. She has plenty.”

Loïc comes into the room, freshly showered and as gorgeous as ever. He gives me a quick kiss. “Ready?”

“I’m ready.”

He gives Lindi some love before heading out to the car.

“Mom, I’m serious. She has purses. Don’t take her out today. The roads are still a little slick from the snow last night.”

“I’m not going to take her out. Don’t worry. You go, have fun. We’re just going to have some girl time here.” Then, she directs her attention toward Lindi. “Plus, we don’t have to go out to buy stuff, do we? Tell your mommy that there’s always the internet.”

“Mom,” I half-laugh, half-whine. “We’re not spoiling her.”

“Really? So, five purses for a little girl who’s not yet two is normal?” she says with a smirk.

“Uh, yeah,” I say with an attitude reminiscent of my teenage days.

Mom laughs. “We’ll be fine. Drive safe,” she tells me.

As I’m leaving, I hear her tell Lindi, “Mommy needs to realize that rules don’t apply to grandmas. Right? Grandma is here to spoil her little Lin, isn’t she?”

All I can do is smile.

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