Page 66 of Headed for Home

“Why would I do that?”

“To make him go faster.” Charlie rolls his eyes as if I’m not catching on quick enough.

“Maybe we should shake a bag of treats for Fire,” the little girl suggests.

“And then he’ll chase after us like suuuuuper fast.” Which the little boy demonstrates by running in place.

“Yes!” The twins giggle, which sounds too much like a diabolic cackle for my liking.

“I’m fine standing,” I admit as Cassidy’s warning returns to haunt me.

Charlie smooshes his lips to one side. “You gotta walk. Mommy said. I’ll hold the reins and lead you.”

“Me too!” Kenzie grabs the excessive slack I haven’t picked up. “Ready?”

“Yup.” My response is far more confident than the drum pounding in my veins.

My chauffeurs set us in motion. The slow rock of Fire’s gait tips me forward at first. I overcorrect and lurch myself backward. This might be considered a strike but I’m still swinging for a home run. The horn anchors me, stabilizing my position. There’s a shift where the riot in my bloodstream calms to a dull roar. Our steady pace begins to feel natural. It’s a consistent sway that lulls me into a sense of safety.

“I’m doing it.” My fist pumps the air.

“Don’t let go,” Kenzie scolds.

“Whoops.” But I’m starting to realize a death grip on the horn isn’t necessary. My posture deflates, allowing the seesaw stride to swing me. “I could get used to this.”

“Let’s play Mac and Cheese Says,” Charlie chirps.

“What are the rules?”

“Just like when you do whatever Simon says, but we’re Mac and Cheese. Duhhhh,” Kenzie giggles.

“I’m game.”

Charlie exchanges a blank look with his sister. “No, the game is Mac and Cheese Says.”

“Right. Go ahead,” I laugh.

Kenzie taps her chin. “Mac and Cheese says to tap your head.”

I knock on my helmet. “Now what?”

“Mac and Cheese says to stretch out your arms,” Charlie instructs.

“But Mac told me not to let go,” I remind.

The little girl huffs. “We weren’t playing then.

That logic is sound enough for me. My pose resembles an airplane as I follow orders. “Like this?”

The little boy nods. “Now zoooooooom like a jet.”

“Nah-uh.” I wag my finger. “Cheese didn’t say, ‘Mac and Cheese says’ first.”

“Oooooooh, he’s smart,” Kenzie whispers.

Charlie thumps his forehead. “I did a booboo. Mac and Cheese says to zoooooom like a jet.”

My lips buzz together with the imitation. “Time for takeoff.”

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