Page 13 of The Chosen Two

And Miranda’s time had come for her to step up. And I had to tell her.

I think it went as well as could be expected. Sure, she’s in a bit of disbelief, but who wouldn’t be? She’s long passed the age where fairytales still hold the vaguest sense of possibility. I’ve been following her story my entire life, first through my father’s stories and now through my own spiritual bond with her. I know her, much better than she knows I do. I know the rationality her mind needs to work at its peak, and this new slant on her world view must have her in a tail spin right now. And, once again, I can do nothing about it.

On the other hand, I’m excited for the chance to train her. She’s stronger than she knows. She’s endured a lot in her life. In fact, I think she survived her childhood only because she’s so strong.

Her biggest weakness she’ll need to overcome is her trouble believing in herself.

Chapter 6

Miranda

I’mabouttofinishcooking dinner when I get a text from Jake.

Hey, landed a couple hours ago, but it’s been a whirlwind since we got off the plane. I’ll try to call tonight, but why do you need to go back to work? What are you even qualified to do now? Our kids need you more than any place that would hire you, don’t you think? Love you.

I had almost felt bad for not calling him, until I got his response. I’d been so consumed with creepy whispers, glowing eyes, and blond boys supposedly connected spiritually to me all afternoon that I hadn’t thought to check in with Jake. But now, I’m just pissed.

What am I even qualified to do? Are you fucking kidding me? Well, Jake, apparently I’m qualified to save the world. Dipshit. But no way he’d believe that, obviously. He couldn’t even bring himself to believe I could get a job working retail! It’s okay. It’s not like running a household with four actual children and one proverbial one counted for anything. So, does this random George kid have more faith in me than my own husband of seventeen years? I ruminate for a long time before I finally respond:

Okay, well, we’ll discuss it later. I think it would be good for me to have something to do outside the home, and this employer seems very interested in hiring me, surprising as that may be. In fact, it may be something I don’t have a choice but to accept…

I wish this was the first time we’d had fights like this. He definitely feels that being “Mom” should be enough for me, whereas I feel I’ve been nothing but “Mom” for thirteen years, and I’m desperate to get back to being Miranda first. I watch the three dots in their little gray bubble throbbing for a few seconds before they disappear. I grunt and resist the urge to throw my phone across the room before shaking myself back into the moment and shouting, “Kids! Dinner!”

***

Aside from the usual fighting between Jessie and Phoebe, and the occasional glare between Natalie and Sammy, dinner is pretty quiet. I ask all the kids how their days were. They all evade giving answers with any kind of substance.

The only one that still wants me to read bedtime stories is Sammy, but I still go into all their rooms individually to talk to them one on one for a few minutes each and every night. I have to keep the lines of communication open between us, so they know I’m here if they ever need me—something I did not have growing up.

For example, tonight Sammy confides in me that he may be in love with his long-time friend, Jackie, but he has no idea how she feels about him. He doesn’t want to scare her off. He’d rather be her friend than not have her in his life at all. He is so wise for a little boy.

Granted, all my kids are wise beyond their years. It makes it really hard to parent them. This is for many reasons, one of which is that I am quite certain, at least in many regards, I am less mature than they are… Sam’s almost asleep, so I kiss my sweet boy on his soft hair and whisper my nightly prayer to him. “Sweet dreams. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

I move onto Natalie’s room. She’s lying in her bed, cradling her koala babies, and reading when I walk in.

“Please stop torturing your brother about Jackie.”

She stretches and yawns and places her book on her nightstand. “Did it really bother him that much? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry, tell him… Actually, don’t. Just let it go. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay… He’s okay?” Her blue eyes twinkle with concern.

“He’s fine. You’re a good sister for asking.” I perch on the edge of her bed and brush her silky hair out of her eyes. “Anything new going on with you? Anything you want to chat about?”

“Nah, same old, same old.” She’s content snuggled into her marsupial collection.“Okay. You know I love you, right?”

“Of course, I do. I love you, too. How’s Daddy’s trip going?” Natalie has always been a daddy’s girl.

“Good, I think. He sent me a text a couple hours ago. He’s just really busy.”

“That’s good then.” She yawns again. “I’m good, Mom. I’m ready to go to sleep.”

“Okay, love bug. I love you.”

“Love you too. Goodnight, Mom.”

“Sweet dreams. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

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