Page 40 of As They Are
I wasn’t sure who was more excited, him or me.
As I worked, I realized it was easier to build things with plastic. I didn’t have the worry of it having to hold up to the test of time. As the pieces came together, Eric grew more and more excited.
I did too.
“All right, I think I’ve got it.”
This thing was massive. It was as tall as he was, with multiple places for the marbles to go.
“Do you think they’ll fall out?”
“They shouldn’t,” I said. “But let’s test it.”
They didn’t fall out, not even when they went around the sharp turns and down the drops. Eric watched every second of it like it was his favorite show on TV.
“This isawesome!”He jumped up and down before adding more marbles to the top. “Mollie didn’t tell me you were a genius.”
My cheeks heated. “I don’t know aboutgenius.”
“When she helps me with this, the marbles fall out alot.And for Dad too.”
“Engineering’s not everyone’s thing.”
“I’m glad it’s yours. I could use a bunk bed soon.”
Nowtherewas an idea. I was getting too close to my deadline for the show to start it now, but I was more than happy to add it to the list to get done either after I did the library or whatever else Madison dragged me to do.
Out of habit, I looked around his room, trying to figure out where to put it. Most people wanted a bunk bed either because they were cool or because they needed to save space, but with a room like Eric’s, I doubted it was the second one.
“Are you at the age where you think bunk beds are super cool?”
“Kinda. But also, Dad and Mollie are talking about things, and I think I’ll have a sibling soon.”
A marble fell out of my hands. “R-really?”
“Yeah. I want them to sleep in my room!”
Mollie would be a great mom, but some days it felt like we were still teenagers. Nowhere near the age of having kids.
Dear God. We were actually almost thirty. How had I never thought about this?
When she’d been with Trevor, the topic of kids never came up, at least not with me. But from what I knew about him, I was worried he’d try to push her before she was ready. Now, seeing how Cain and Mollie functioned with Eric as a family, I could see it.
But would I miss it?
Eric was watching me closely and I didn’t want him running to tell Mollie about any more meltdowns. I took a shaky breath and put on my brightest smile.
“I would be an aunt! Again!”
“Again?”
I gestured to him. “I kinda already am.”
Eric perked up. “With me?”
“Um,duh.But this time, I get to buy them things from the get-go. I’msoexcited.”
Eric seemed to believe me and laughed. I was glad I could fool at least one person.
