Page 31 of Where We Stay
“No,” I answer immediately. “Daddy doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
“Why not?” Aspen asks, crawling out with a handful of glitter.
“Because he’s emotionally unavailable,” Rory tells her.
“Because Aunt Rory is leaving,” I correct.
Rory laughs as she ties the trash bag closed. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted.”
“I want you,” Aspen assures her.
“At least someone in this family appreciates me.”
Aspen runs over and wraps her arms around Rory’s waist.
“Come on, squirt,” Rory says, bending down to hug her. “Finish cleaning up before your dad bans glitter from the house forever.”
“Already considering it,” I warn.
Together, Rory and Aspen finish cleaning the dining room. Rory hugs us both goodbye before heading home, leaving me to deal with the glitter I know I’ll still be finding six months from now.
I make spaghetti for dinner—Aspen’s favorite—and we sit together at the table.
She shovels an alarming amount of pasta into her mouth before I’ve finished twirling my first forkful.
“Slow down, Pen,” I tell her. “Nobody’s taking it from you.”
Aspen chews quickly before swallowing. “It’s really good.”
“It’ll still be good if you breathe between bites.”
She ignores me and reaches for more.
“So, kiddo,” I begin, watching her carefully, “who’s your new teacher?”
“Her name is Miss Morgan,” Aspen answers between mouthfuls. “But I won’t see her until Monday.”
“How are you feeling about that?” I ask.
Aspen shrugs one shoulder. “Mrs R says she’s nice.”
“That’s good.”
“I hope she lets me have Beachy,” she adds, glancing toward the stuffed crab sitting on the chair beside her. “He makes me feel better.”
“I’m sure she will, baby girl,” I assure her.
“What if she says no?”
“Then you listen to your teacher,” I tell her. “And Beachy can wait for you in your bag.”
Aspen considers this before nodding. “Okay.”
She gives me a toothy grin before returning to her spaghetti.
Every day, she looks a little older.
I’m proud of the person she’s becoming, but part of me wishes time would slow the fuck down.
