Page 32 of The Wish List
I liked the sound of it.
CHAPTEREIGHT
ROSIE
“Momma, that was so much fun!” AJ exclaimed. “Can we do it again tomorrow?”
I rubbed my shoulder. Sledding with AJ was fun, but we’d gone over a large bump and I’d fallen off the sled, hitting my shoulder hard on a patch of frozen snow.
“Sure, baby. If my arm hurts, I can watch.”
He looked sorrowful. “Do you need an aspirin?”
I ruffled his hair. “I took a couple of Tylenol. I’ll feel fine soon.”
I opened the fridge, peering inside. It was still full of food. I had made soup with the turkey bones and frozen it, but Asher had bought so many other items, we were spoiled for choice.
“Want grilled cheese and tomato soup?” I asked, already knowing the answer. That was his favorite.
“Yeah!” he said, throwing up his arms.
I laughed and made our simple dinner. We ate it on the sofa, watching a movie. I relaxed my usual rules over the holidays and let him watch what he wanted. He still enjoyed playing and coloring, so it wasn’t as if he was glued to the screen all day.
After we ate, he curled into me and fell asleep. I rubbed my shoulder at the dull ache. Maybe I was too old for sledding anymore.
When Asher had been here, the two of them had done most of the sledding, while I cheered on with a cup of coffee in my hand. I much preferred that.
I woke up AJ and ran him a bath. I washed his hair, and he talked nonstop the whole time about his day. He loved it when I wasn’t working and we could spend time together. I had to admit, I loved it as well, but it only happened over the holidays and my once-a-year vacation, unless he got sick and I stayed home with him.
My phone rang, and I answered, happy to see Asher’s number.
“Hey, you,” I said, trying not to laugh at the soap monsters AJ was making in the tub.
“How are you, Rosie?”
“A little wet. AJ is having his bath.”
“Hi, Asher!” AJ called out, excited.
“Put him on,” Asher said good-naturedly.
I did as he asked and handed AJ the phone on speaker. “Don’t drop it.”
I headed to the kitchen and took a couple of Tylenol. My shoulder still hurt. I could hear AJ telling Asher how fast the hill was with his new sled and how many kids there were.
“My face got really cold,” he said.
“You need an extra scarf. Tie it over your forehead and nose. You won’t get so cold again.”
“I’ll tell Momma!”
“Good man. You taking care of your momma?”
“She fell off the sled and hurt her arm.”
“What?” Asher said, his voice now worried. “She’s hurt?”
I took the phone. “As we discussed before, I’m old, is what I am. And the frozen ground was hard. I’m a little sore. Nothing to worry about.”
