“The thing is, Alex, I do worry, which evidently is the problem here,” Blake says, grabbing the ibuprofen pills out of my hand. “I promised the girls I would help you and I don’t go back on my promises. I’m not sleeping with you in your bed. I’ll be on the couch. So there won’t be anything to explain to them. They know I’m here to help because I’m the only person able to help right now. You need help and you know it. I know it. Your girls know it. I really don’t think there is any reason to make a big deal about it. So why don’t we just make sure you can take these with the other pills.”
God he’s annoying.
“Give me the ibuprofen, Blake! You’re being ridiculous!” I reach for them but he quickly moves them out of my reach and holds them over his head. “Seriously, Blake! Give them back !”
I jump up to try to reach them, but it’s damn near impossible. I attempt to jump again, the jerkiness of the movement killing my hand. “Damn it, Blake! I’m serious!”
“Well, you’re just going to have to get over it because I’m not leaving. I can’t leave; I drove you here in your car, which means I would have to take your car to my house. I don’t think leaving you stranded is a safe alternative. I mean, I’m sure we can figure something out if you really want me to go…” A devious smile breaks across his face. His voice rises louder as he looks over my shoulder. “But I don’t plan on going anywhere tonight, that is unless the girls want me to. Girls, do you think I should stay and help your mom out?”
I stop mid jump and look back to see all three girls peeking their little heads around the corner of the kitchen, watching my pitiful attempt to grab the ibuprofen from Blake. The kid card? Again? Really?
“Why can’t he stay, Mama? We’re supposed to watch a movie later, Blake promised. You said he was your friend, we don’t mind if he stays. It’ll be like when we have slumber parties with our friends, right? That way if you can’t do something and we’re already asleep, Blake can help,” Kyndall says to me with a look of confusion on her face.
I’m so not ready to deal with this right now. This man shows up a couple of days ago and all of a sudden he has infiltrated my house.
“As I said, Alex, I don’t go back on my promises. So the girls and I will be watching – ” He motions to the girls for help.
“The Little Mermaid!”
“Spy Kids!”
“Willy Wonka!”
Blake shakes his head and continues, “A movie, which we’ll evidently be deciding on later. And since I’ll be here anyway, you might as well get some comfortable sleep.”
For once, I’m completely at a loss. A man has not spent the night in this house since Derek. I’m not really sure how I feel about having any man in this house for an extended period of time. Short visits are fine, but we’re talking overnight.
I’m in a whole new realm of confusion.
“Look girls, I know you really like Blake. I like Blake too or he wouldn’t be here.” I make sure to shoot him a dirty look. “But things are a little more complicated when you’re all grown up. It’s just not that easy.”
“Mom, I don’t really see what the problem is. You already broke a glass tonight all over the floor. I think that we all know you need a little help. And we think that Blake being here is good because he can help you after we go to bed. Plus, what if you need something out of the cabinet that we can’t reach? Blake’s a lot taller and can get it for you. Mom, please, just let him help.” Nycole crosses her arms over her chest and shifts her weight to one side.
Help. That evil little word. Damn Harlow for being out of town. This would be so much easier with her here…and a lot less to explain.
“Alright, I’ll make you a deal. Blake can stay for one movie. Then I’ll decide if I need his help through the night, okay? I’m not making any promises. And I don’t want any pouty, grumpy faces if I decide he needs to go home. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am!” They all shout at the same time, each with huge grins on their faces.
I snap my head back to Blake who’s also grinning, but his smile is more triumphant.
I lean over and whisper, “Look buddy, you need to wipe that smug smile off your face. No promises have been made, so there’s absolutely no reason for you to be smiling like that. You’re lucky to get to stay for a movie. And for the record, I hope they choose something that will be extremely painful for you to watch. You deserve it.”
Speaking of which…
I excitedly turn back to face the girls. “Alright, go pick a movie! Oh, didn’t we just get that new Barney movie? I really think Blake would love that one! You should put it on for him!” I direct my eyes over to Blake and shoot him the best, smart-ass grin I can conjure up.
Blake simply glances at me and then turns his full attention back to the girls. He trumps my enthusiasm with an astounding, “The purple dinosaur? I love that one! Do you guys really have a whole movie? I can’t wait! Go get it and let’s watch it!” He then looks back at me, giving me his own smart-ass grin.
Jerk.
I decide no baths are necessary tonight. My hand hurts too bad, and there’s no way Blake’s doing it, so I just decide to skip them all together. And since I don’t feel like cooking either, we order pizzas for dinner. After the girls are fed, I pop a few ibuprofen (after internet research confirmed that I could indeed take them with the pain pills), and we load up the new Barney movie – despite Nycole’s heartfelt protests.
If Blake wants Barney, he’s getting Barney. Full length, movie version Barney.
As Blake starts throwing pillows on the floor constructing a make-shift pallet, I watch the girls literally slide off the couch and onto the floor, making their way to sit by him.
“Hey!” I shout. “Isn’t anyone going to sit with me? I’m pretty sure I’m the one whose fingers were almost broken today!” I push out my bottom lip and cross my arms over my chest, making my best pouty-face.
Nycole looks at me and laughs. “And you call me dramatic?” She sighs. “Okay, I’ll come sit with you.” She flings herself on the couch and lands right beside me. She snuggles in next to me and I put my left arm around her and squeeze her tight. Elbow positioned on the arm of the couch with my right hand sticking straight up, I yell to Blake, “Let’s get this party started! Push play!”
Blake leans over to grab the remote and turns back to me with a wide grin. Then he looks at the girls and says, “I’m ready for some Barney. You girls?”
“Yeah!” I hear from Kyndall and Rylie while at the same time Nycole protests, “No!”
I chuckle and elbow her in the side. “Stop it. Be nice! I’ll let you have Nycole time tomorrow in the office and you can watch whatever you want, sister-free, okay? I know you don’t want to watch it, but your sisters are really excited, and evidently so is Blake.” I jerk my head towards him and shake my head. We both start laughing. “So you suffer with me tonight, I’ll reward you tomorrow. Deal?”
“Deal,” she says and then eyes my hand with concern. “How’s your hand? Is it okay? Do you need anything?”
Wow. Where’s this coming from? Squeezing her shoulder, I look at her. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Thank you though.”
“You should take your pain medicine, Mom. We’ll be fine. I promise. I think between the both of us, Blake and I can handle Kyndall and Rylie,” she says seriously.
Tears start to fill my eyes. I look away because I don’t want Nycole to think she’s said anything to upset me. But I just can’t help myself. I feel incredibly guilty that she’s been forced to grow up so quickly. I wanted her to stay my baby forever, but circumstances being what they are, she’s had to shoulder more responsibility than most nine year olds. Wiping a tear that escapes my eye, I turn to her and say, “You’re right, Nyc. You guys are more than capable of handling those two. If I hurt too much, I’ll take them. I promise.”