Page 77 of Living for Truth
Read-a-thons are something Aly and I started doing when she started reading. It helps us have something special to do in the winter when we can’t get outside. We get a bunch of snacks and fun drinks, cozy up on the floor with blankets, and spend the day reading.
“Yes!” Aly claps. “Does that sound fun, Hannah?”
“Of course it does—no better way to spend a Saturday.” Hannah finally looks at me, her smile wide and excited, and it’s a punch straight to the gut in the best way.
Hi, gorgeous,I mouth to her while Aly starts making a list of snacks.
Hey, handsome,she mouths back.
God, I want to round the counter and kiss her.
Once Aly’s satisfied with her snack list, Hannah asks how she can help with dinner, and I direct her to chopthe vegetables Aly abandoned while I start on the rice and sauce.
“What are we making?” Hannah asks while I whisk some soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices.
“Dad’s famous stir fry. I don’t think it’s actually famous, but it is good,” Aly answers.
“It’s totally famous, you little stink. I made it all the time for the football team, and they begged for my recipe. I think that makes it pretty famous.” I poke her side, and she jolts and giggles.
“I don’t know, Morgan, I’ve never seen it in a cookbook,” Hannah teases.
“Yeah, Dad. If it’s not in a cookbook, it’s not famous,” Aly agrees.
I gape at them. “Is this how it’s going to be from now on? You two ganging up on me all the time?”
Hannah scoffs. “Of course—girl power and all that.”
“Yeah, girl power.” Aly and Hannah high-five.
If I’m going to be battling anyone, I’m glad it’s these two.
Meow,Bean announces his presence to the kitchen and heads directly for Hannah. She scoops him up, cooing and giving him pets like he’s an angel, and Aly’s jaw drops.
“He lets you hold him? He only lets me hold him!”
“I can’t believe it either,” I agree.
Aly giggles. “Looks like it’s just you, Dad.”
“No, remember how none of your aunts or uncles can hold him either? They all tried.”
“Oh, yeah. Guess that means Hannah is just a good person, and Bean wants her to stick around.” Somethingtells me this is Aly’s way of sayingshewants Hannah to stick around.
“Yeah, Bub. I guess so.”
Bean protests loudly when Hannah sets him back down so she can finish helping with dinner, but I throw his mouse toy down the stairs, and that seems to distract him enough.
Once everything is finished, we plate up our chicken, rice, and veggies and sit at the dining table to eat.
Hannah makes a point to include Aly in our conversations, and Aly chatters away happily, answering every question Hannah asks.
When we’re about done, I set down my fork and clear my throat. “I wanted to talk to you about something, Aly, and I wanted Hannah to be here because it affects her, too.”
Aly and Hannah set down their own forks to give me their undivided attention. A mix of worry and anticipation on their faces.
“As you know, Hannah and I are dating.”
“Yes, you’re all gross and in love.” Aly rolls her eyes.
