With Neighbors Like This by Tracy Goodwin

Author:Tracy Goodwin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2022-06-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

As Kyle takes a quick shower, Amelia begins prepping movie popcorn. No butter, no big bowls. Even though Jacob bounces back quick from ear infections, easy does it. That’s Amelia’s motto. While she’s rummaging around in the cabinets, a popping sound emanates from her microwave, and the aroma of popcorn makes her realize that she hasn’t eaten all day.

Entering the room, Kyle makes a comment about the kids’ blankets and pillows being on the floor facing the wall with the big screen. “You look comfortable.”

“What would you like to drink, Kyle?” Amelia asks.

“Gatorade is good.” He winks at Jacob, who echoes his order.

“Gatorade and popcorn it is. Would you like water, Chloe?” Amelia’s open floor plan has its benefits when it comes to communication.

“Water with ice please.” Chloe stands. “Come on, Kyle. Look at our tadpoles! They eat leaves and mosquitos. How cool is that?”

He follows the kids, saying, “Cool, as long as you aren’t a mosquito. I was careful not to disturb them when I was mowing the lawn.”

“Please don’t let Prince out,” Amelia calls to them, relief rushing over her as they shut the back door. Prince is an indoor cat. The last thing her children need is to lose someone else they love, and Amelia is protective. Some would say too much so, but they have no idea how catastrophic—pun intended—the loss of that feline they’ve grown so attached to would be.

When they return, noise fills the house.

“Did you see that tadpole jump on my finger, Kyle?” Chloe asks.

Jacob groans. “You reached in the water. It had nowhere else to go.”

“Wash your hands please,” Amelia insists.

“I’ll wash my hands, then I’m getting my stuffies. Jacob, do you want yours?” Chloe calls to her brother, racing into their hallway and their bathroom to wash her hands.

The little boy glances at Kyle, as if waiting for his approval or his judgment.

Kyle offers him a nod. “Stuffies are good. You can’t watch a movie without them, right?”

Jacob smiles. “Yeah. Coming, Chloe!”

“The tadpoles are doing great, and the kids love them. I can see why you couldn’t get rid of them.” Kyle meets Amelia in her kitchen. “What can I help with?”

She already has two bowls on her countertop and some candy. “You’ve already helped. Thanks for confirming that stuffed animals are okay. Jacob’s dad didn’t approve, and while Jacob’s okay when he’s with me, when others are around, he feels self-conscious.” The microwave beeps and Amelia opens the steaming bag of popcorn and pours it into two bowls.

She adds M&M’s to one bowl and mixes them in. Not too many, though. “Would you like candy in your popcorn?” she asks in a teasing tone.

“As if you have to ask.” Kyle smiles, his sparkling eyes conveying his excitement. “Jacob can eat this, after last night?”

“Kids are resilient. At least mine are. They can be sick in the morning, and running around in the afternoon. You notice there’s no butter and not much candy in the kids’ bowl. Call it my Jedi Mom trick.

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