Page 53 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
K.O. heard Zoe mention her imaginary horse named Blackie. Not to be outdone, Zara declared thatherimaginary horse was named Brownie. Wynn listened to them seriouslyand even scooted over to make room for the horses on the sofa. K.O. was grateful that Wynn was sharing responsibility for the girls, whose constant demands quickly drained her.
“I’m hungry now,” Zoe informed them half an hour later.
“I’ll start the hot dogs,” K.O. said, ready for dinner herself.
“I want pancakes.”
“With syrup,” Zara said. Zoe nodded.
K.O. looked at Wynn, who shrugged as if it was no big deal.
“Then pancakes it is,” K.O. agreed. She’d let him cope with the sugar high. For the next ten minutes she was busy mixing batter and frying the pancakes. The twins wanted chocolate syrup and strawberry jam on top, with bananas and granola. Actually, it didn’t taste nearly as bad as K.O. had feared.
According to her sister’s instructions, the girls were to be given their medication with meals. After dinner, Zoe and Zara climbed down from their chairs. When K.O. asked them to take their plates to the sink, they complied without an argument or even a complaint.
“Time for your medicine,” K.O. told them next. She removed two small bottles filled with pink antibiotic from the refrigerator.
The two girls raced about the kitchen, shrieking, with the dogs yapping at their heels. They seemed incapable of standing still.
“Girls,” K.O. ordered sternly. “Take your medicine and then you can run around.” The way they were dashing back and forth, it was difficult to see who was who.
Zara skidded to a stop and dutifully opened her mouth. Carefully measuring out the liquid, K.O. filled the spoon and popped it into the child’s mouth. Immediately afterward, the twins took off in a frenzied race around the kitchen table.
“Zoe,” K.O. said, holding the second bottle and a clean spoon and waiting for the mayhem to die down so she could dispense the correct dose to her other niece. “Your turn.”
The twin appeared in front of her, mouth open. K.O. poured medicine onto the spoon. About to give it to Zoe, she hesitated. “You’re not Zoe. You’re Zara.”
“I’m Zoe,” she insisted. Although the girls were identical, K.O. could usually tell one from the other, partly by their personalities. Zara had the stronger, more dominant nature. “Are you sure?” she asked.
The little girl nodded vigorously. Uncertain, K.O. reluctantly gave her the medication. The twins continued to chase each other about the kitchen, weaving their way around and between Wynn and K.O. The dogs dashed after them, yapping madly.
Wynn asked, “Is everything all right?”
K.O. still held the empty spoon. “I have a horrible feeling I just gave two doses to the same girl.”
“You can trust the twins to tell you the truth,” Wynn pronounced. “Children instinctively know when it’s important to tell the truth.”
“Really?” K.O. couldn’t help worrying.
“Of course. It’s in the book,” Wynn said as if quoting Scripture.
“You didn’t feed Blackie and Brownie,” Zara cried when K.O. tossed the leftover pancakes in the garbage.
“Then we must.” Wynn proceeded to remove the cold pancakes and tear them into small pieces. Zero and Zorro leaped off the ground in an effort to snatch up the leftovers. Zoe and Zara sat on the floor and fed the dogs and supposedly their imaginary pets, as well.
The yapping dogs were giving K.O. a headache. “Howabout if I turn on the television,” she suggested, shouting to be heard above the racket made by the girls and the dogs.
The twins hollered their approval, but the show that flashed onto the screen was a Christmas cartoon featuring none other than Santa himself. Jolly old soul that he was, Santa laughed and loaded his sleigh while the girls watched with rapt attention. Knowing how her sister felt, K.O. figured this was probably the first time they’d seen Santa all season. K.O. glanced at Wynn, who was frowning back.
“Let’s see what else is on,” K.O. said quickly.
“I want to watch Santa,” Zoe shouted.
“Me, too,” Zara muttered.
Wynn sat on the sofa between them and wrapped his arms around their small shoulders. “This show is about a character called Santa Claus,” he said in a solicitous voice.
Both girls were far too involved in the program to be easily distracted by adult conversation.
