A Mother Would Know (14)

She looks over at the counter, where a half-empty wine bottle is open, flanked by two full bottles.

“I see Hudson is rubbing off on you,” she says in her all-too-familiar disappointed tone.

“Oh, come on. We’ve just been enjoying ourselves.” I wave away her comment, refusing to feel ashamed. Just because she’s made the decision not to drink doesn’t mean the rest of us have to follow suit. “No harm in that.” I open the fridge. “I do have some iced tea made.”

“That sounds good.” She leans over, propping her elbows up on the counter.

I pour her a glass, the ice crackling as the tea hits it. “Sugar?”

“No, thanks.” She shakes her head.

I take in her long, flowy top. She doesn’t say much about it, but I know she’s bothered by the extra baby weight. Mason is only six months old. These things take time. But I remember what it was like after my babies were born. The change in my body was hard for me. That’s why I keep my thoughts to myself and slide the glass in her direction.

She picks it up and takes a sip.

I hear the front door pop open. “Mom, there’s a stray baby in the entryway,” Hudson calls out jokingly. “I’m hoping you know who it belongs to.” He appears in the doorway of the kitchen, grocery bag in hand.

Smiling, Kendra turns. “That would be your nephew.”

“He’s gotten so big.” Hudson sets the bag down on the counter.

“That’s what happens with babies when you never see them. They grow.” Even though Kendra’s tone is trying for light, I detect the irritation underneath, and my muscles tighten.

Hudson must not pick up on it, though. He reaches out to give his sister a side-armed hug. My body uncoils as Kendra returns it.

“Mom, they were out of that coconut drink you like, but they had the lemon one,” Hudson says while putting the groceries away. He rips open a big bag of sunflower seeds and pops a few in his mouth before stuffing it in the pantry.

Kendra’s brows rise in a mixture of surprise and appreciation.

“That’s fine,” I say. “Thanks.”

Hearing Bowie’s paws on the floor, I hurry into the hallway. I don’t want him bothering Mason. I call him to my side and stroke his fur. Mason is thankfully still asleep in his carrier, his little neck bent downward, the straps cutting into his soft skin. That can’t be safe. As I guide Bowie toward the back door, I mull over what to do about Mason. Do I move him so his neck is upright and run the risk of waking him up or do I mention something to Kendra? I’ve learned the hard way that Kendra doesn’t want or need my parental advice. I have to tread carefully with her.

I open the back door so Bowie can head outside. When I return to the kitchen, I pull the bag of marinated chicken out of the fridge. Without looking at Kendra, I say in a nonchalant tone, “The playpen is still set up in the office from the last time you were over.” I thought I’d taken it down, but earlier today when I went to set it up, I found it already put together.

Kendra turns, peeking down the hallway. “Okay, yeah, I’ll take you up on that. Looks like he’s still out.” She pushes off the counter, muttering under her breath, “Thank god for small favors.”

While she heads out of the room, I reach into the fridge and pull out a few cheeses and a container of grapes. I had planned to have dinner ready when Kendra got here, but since she’s so early, I figure I should put out some snacks.

“Want me to start the grill?” Hudson asks while I arrange the cheeses on a platter.

“Yeah, that’d be great.”

I set a cluster of grapes next to the cheeses and add crackers around the sides. The scent of charcoal wafts in from an open window. I hear Kendra’s footsteps in the hall. For a moment, it’s as if no time has passed. Closing my eyes, I imagine Darren beside me, pouring whiskey into a small glass. I’m struck with an odd, immediate sadness. One that hits me from time to time.

Hudson re-enters the room, setting the lighter down on the counter. I scoot the cheese platter closer to him. He snatches up a grape just as Kendra walks in, heaving an audible sigh of relief.

“Got Mason down successfully?” I ask with only a twinge of disappointment. Kendra clearly needs a break, but my arms are itching to hold him.

She nods, her hand jutting out to grab a cracker. After taking a bite, she glances at her brother.

“What have you been up to since you’ve been back, Hudson?” she asks.

He shrugs, chewing on a piece of cheese.

Kendra’s eyes narrow. “You been lookin’ for work?”

His eyes shift toward me as he swallows.

“Maybe the interrogation can wait until after dinner,” I say, and flash her a smile. I’d like to keep the evening light and fun.

Kendra frowns. “I was just making conversation.”

“I think he has a lead on a job. Isn’t that right, Hudson?”

He nods, wiping crumbs from his beard. “Not just a lead. It finally panned out. I start Monday.”

This is the first I’m hearing of it. Why hadn’t he told me earlier? “Oh, wow. Congratulations. This is the one with Browning’s uncle?”

He nods.

“Browning?” Kendra’s head cocks to the side.

As I dump the chicken out onto a platter, the juice from the marinade spatters my arm. I grab a towel and sweep it over my skin.