Page 60 of I Got You

The door opens, and I hear Teddy telling Maggie about some kid getting kicked in the nose and it gushing with blood. He enters the kitchen with his usual gusto. Maggie follows closely behind, looking more relaxed than when I left her at the gym this morning.

“What’s up, party people?” Teddy sets his blue belt on the counter and takes off the top of his gi, his scrawny chest slightly muscular.

“Shaney is letting us have Coke,” Liv announces. Maggie cocks an eyebrow.

I hold up my hands in defense. “I only had a small bottle, and they are splitting it.” Maggie gives me a teasing glare and turns to put her travel mug in the sink.

“Hey, why don’t I get any?” Teddy pouts.

“There’s a small amount left in the fridge if you want some.” He jumps up, running to the refrigerator to grab it from the door.

Garrett puts his pencil down, his eyes flick to mine for the briefest glance while I focus on my phone.

Teddy takes a big gulp. “Oh yuck.” He coughs and sticks his tongue out. Garrett and Liv start giggling. “What is that?” He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Old car oil,” I answer with a straight face.

“Great. I’m going to die.” He starts melting to the floor and grabbing his neck. “Shane, what did you poison me with?”

His dramatics are entertaining, and I can’t help but smile. “Super dark, stale, completely awful coffee. Think twice, Daniel Son, before you mess with other people's stuff.”

“You got me. That’s awful.” He laughs, rolling on the floor.

Maggie smiles and looks at Teddy. “Alright, tough guy. You smell like stinky feet. Hit the showers and wash everything twice.”

Teddy groans and picks himself up off the kitchen floor, but before he disappears, he stops. “That was a good one, Shane.” He grins, slaps me on the shoulder, and then runs up the stairs.

Maggie starts talking, and we all shush her. “What?!”

I put my hand up to tell her to wait. Then we hear it. One loud POP! and Teddy screams like a little girl. He bursts out in laughter and yells, “You guys suck! I think I peed myself!”

I fist-bump Garrett, knowing I got that little punk.

“What was that?” Maggie asks with a huge smile, and I hope I’ve successfully fulfilled my husbandly duty of making her feel better when she’s had a bad day.

“Balloons. We taped them behind the door with some nails so they'd pop as soon as he pushed it open.”

“You guys.” She continues to laugh. “That was a good one, especially with the coffee distraction. You know he’s totally going to up his game now.”

“He can bring it.” I mean it. I’ve seen enough to know that this is Teddy’s joy, playful teasing. He’s a good kid.

“Did you eat?” Maggie asks me.

“Did you?” I know Maggie looks out for everyone and puts herself last. I’ve also learned that there are times when Maggie either doesn’t eat or just eats the scraps of whatever the kids have left because she runs out of time or energy. In any case, I don’t like it.

“She didn’t,” Garrett speaks up quietly, keeping his eyes focused on his homework.

I’m getting to know each of these kids; they're unique in their own ways. The more time I spend with Garrett, the more I understand him. He’s calm, studious, and extremely protective. He speaks up when it’s important, just like now when he’s looking out for Maggie.

“I will. I just haven’t had time yet,” Maggie defends.

Garrett closes his book. “I’m done. I’m going to shower after Teddy and hope there’s not a layer of bacteria left behind.”

“Can I have a bath in your tub tonight?” Liv asks.

“Sure,” Maggie says.

“With bubbles?”

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