A Christmas Caroline by Camilla Isley

Author:Camilla Isley [Isley, Camilla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Amnesia, Second Chance Romance, Romantic Comedy, Chick Lit, Christmas
Publisher: Pink Bloom Press
Published: 2021-10-25T22:00:00+00:00

Twelve

So I Keep Hearing

At home, I still have enough Christmas leftovers not to worry about cooking. I reheat the food in the microwave and serve Jo first. Bram for once is happy playing in his crib and not being in my arms, which leaves me free to fight with Will to make him eat his figurative vegetables. From his highchair, he stares at me as I approach with his warm plate like the evil character of a Western movie who’s waiting to draw his gun.

A fiery battle of swatted spoons ensues.

By the time Jo is done eating, I’ve reached the point of despair. Will hasn’t eaten a single spoonful.

My daughter stares at me with almost pity in her eyes.

“Do you know any tricks to make him eat?” I ask.

Jo studies me for a second. “Well, there could be one, but you’re really opposed to it.”

Hope blooms in my chest. “If it works, why should I be against it?”

“You say it’s bad for our upbringing. You and Dad are against letting us watch TV, especially during meals.”

Right about now I’d sell my soul to the devil to make Will eat, so TV seems like the lesser evil.

I re-heat his food that has gone stone cold, warm plate or not, and turn on the TV.

“Any program he enjoys watching?”

“The Netflix show with the puffins is his favorite.”

I give Jo the remote. “Can you pull it up?”

“Sure.”

With the competent push of a few buttons, Jo has the TV on. An episode begins to play, and Will is so taken with Oona and Baba’s adventures he doesn’t even notice when I bring the spoon to his mouth. He opens up and swallows like a robot. The magic lasts about ten minutes before he pushes my hand away with a decisive, “No.”

I look at Jo. “What now?”

“You have to threaten him, put the cartoon on pause until he eats again. But I should say you and Dad really disapprove of this kind of tactic. You say bribes and blackmail aren’t sustainable in the long term.”

“Pffff, blackmail. This is survival, your brother needs to eat. It’s a necessary means for the greater good.”

“Okay,” Jo says. “I won’t tell anyone. But Mom, do you think it’d be possible to return the dress Daddy bought me for Sarah McMullen’s party and get the one I really wanted?”

Juggling remote and spoon, I take a good look at my daughter. Jo basically sold me her silence on my TV transgression in exchange for a new dress. She’s been subtle and delicate with her request, but laced it with a veiled threat. And since I’ve just said blackmail is okay to use, I can’t even call her out on it. Nicely done, kiddo. She’ll be a talented business woman when she grows up.

“What’s wrong with the dress Dad bought you?” I ask to better understand the situation.

“It isn’t special.”

“And why didn’t he buy you the other one?”

Jo pouts. “Dad said it was too expensive.”

I pause the TV, waiting for Will to open his mouth and restart it when he does.

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