She, the Kingdom (She #1)(42)

Max jerked awake and paused for a moment—I assumed processing why we’d been lying in that position. He always seemed upset with himself when we woke up that way, and this morning seemed no different as he muttered a curse word, and then jumped out of bed, rushing around to get dressed.

“Good morning,” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“Morning, Morgan. Sorry to dash out, but I’m late.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” I said. Showing professional courtesy and Max actually caring about my feelings were on each side of a thin boundary line. The most important part of our agreement was boundaries. Without them, it would be very easy to forget that it was all a business transaction.

He cleared his throat, trying to sound indifferent. “Thank you for another full night’s rest.”

“You’re welcome. Have a nice day.”

“I…” he began, but changed his mind.

“What?” I asked, standing and tightening the knot in my belt.

“You have appointments tomorrow.”

“I’m aware. Thank you for the reminder.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were still happy with the arrangement.”

“I’m currently debt free, Max. The car is… I can’t wait until the kids see it. I can’t wait to take them school shopping. I’m very happy with the arrangement.”

He scratched his head. “Good. That’s good. I’m pleased.” He brushed past me, leaving the front door open as he pushed through the screen door and bounded down the steps.

I watched him back his car out of the driveway, and wondered what his home life had been like the last week since I’d told him what I knew about Sophie and Landry. He hadn’t mentioned it, so I tried to respect his privacy. We were back to a polite but distant employer/employee relationship, and I couldn’t complain because that was what I’d originally asked for.

I stepped into a lukewarm shower, rinsing Max’s lips off my skin before getting ready for the day. The kids were leaving for camp early in the morning, so it would be my last time to speak with them for two weeks. Video chats made the separation over the entire summer somewhat tolerable, but knowing they would be more than the usual hour away, and I wouldn’t hear their little voices for fourteen days, made my throat feel tight and my chest ache.

I brewed a cup of coffee and sat down at the table while Josh’s phone chirped. He picked up and smiled.

“Hey, bub,” I said, trying not to seem too excited that he seemed excited. “All packed for camp?”

“Yeah. Dad got me some new swimming trunks and a couple pairs of shorts.”

“What’s wrong with your old swimming trunks?”

He shrugged and jerked his head to the side to get his hair out of his face. Like every summer about this time, he needed a haircut. “Too small.”

I choked, my eyes instantly glossing over. “Too small? I bought them for you in May.”

Josh rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Mom. Don’t cry. Kids grow. It’s sort of my job.”

I wiped my eye. “I know. You’re just not supposed to do it when I’m not around.”

“I’ll work on it,” he deadpanned.

“Hi Mommy!” Hannah said, bouncing into view. “I got a new ball glove!”

“Did you outgrow your old one?”

“No, I just wanted a new one.”

I sighed with relief.

“Her shoes don’t fit,” Josh said.

I pressed my lips together and shook my head. “I miss you guys. Hurry up, would you?”

“Camp, first,” Josh said. He’d been going to the same one since he was seven, and he loved seeing all of his friends. Nowadays, they could keep up with one another online, and Josh looked forward to camp from the moment he left.

“Camp first! First camp!” Hannah said.

“Are you nervous?” I asked. It was her first year, and I couldn’t be there to help her pack or get ready.

Nick was going to forget something, and she would be an hour away from him and two hours away from me when she needed it.

Hannah’s face sobered. “Mommy, what’s wrong? Are you crying?”

“I just miss you. I’m excited about your first time to camp. Double check your suitcase for Dad, okay?”

“I will! I love you! Bye!” Hannah said. All I could see was a blur of frizzy blonde ringlets whiz past the camera.

“You’ll check on her?” I asked Josh.

He was already bored. “Yes, Mom.”

“Josh?”

“I promise, Mom. I’ll check on her every day. I’ll walk her home if you want.”

“I want. And if she’s homesick, hug her a lot, okay?” My voice cracked. I was pathetic. “Be a good brother.”

“Don’t worry, Mom.”

“Thanks, bub. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

The screen went black, and I rested my forehead on the palm of my hand, glad there was no one to see me cry. This time of the summer was always hard for me. Knowing they were growing out of clothes and shoes, and that Hannah was old enough for sleep-away camp made it worse.

The house was so quiet without them there. I hated it. Then I realized it was too quiet—the air conditioner wasn’t buzzing outside and the vents were silent.