Because of the Twins... by Carole Halston

Author:Carole Halston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

“Why isn’t Holly eating supper with us?” Jennifer asked plaintively as Graham and his children took their places at the table.

“She was going to a movie tonight. Remember, I already explained that to you and Justin several times.” Graham kept his voice patient. He empathized with his daughter’s dissatisfaction. She and her brother missed Holly’s warm, sunny presence. So did their father.

“Tell me about preschool,” Graham said, forking a bite of macaroni and cheese, which he guessed he’d better learn to enjoy often. Earlier he’d done what he thought Holly would approve of, by inviting the twins’ input on the supper menu. They’d said in unison, “Macaroni and cheese.” Graham hadn’t succeeded in talking them into another food choice.

“I played with Jimmy and a little boy named Mike today,” Justin said. “Mike’s littler than me. He’s only this tall.” The little boy held his hand in a horizontal position at his neck.

Should I correct the grammar error and suggest “smaller” as a better description than “littler?” Graham wondered. Or would that be an error in parenting? Damn if he knew. He made a mental note to ask Holly.

“How about you, Jennifer? Who did you play with at preschool?” Graham questioned his daughter, who hadn’t offered any response.

She hunched small shoulders in a shrug and didn’t answer.

“Jennifer mostly plays by herself,” Justin offered, his mouth full of macaroni.

“I like to play by myself. Those other kids don’t play right.” She dropped her spoon to her plate with a loud clatter.

Graham realized his little daughter was upset by the conversation. He was upset himself. His clear vision of a whole group of children busily interacting and Jennifer an isolated outsider dismayed him. Tomorrow he would make it his business to talk to the director of the preschool and share his concerns with her.

But what wise words could he speak to Jennifer right this minute to make her feel good about herself?

“I’ll bet Jennifer will have some playmates, too, once she decides she’d rather not play by herself,” he stated, reaching over to give her arm a gentle squeeze. She looked at him, big blue eyes mirroring uncertainty. He smiled reassuringly.

Graham couldn’t have been any more gratified when Jennifer resumed eating her supper. He felt as though he’d passed an important milestone and earned a small amount of childish trust.

“What kind of rating would you give this movie?” asked Patricia as the theater lights came on.

“One and a half. I was disappointed,” replied Holly. “My attention kept wandering.” She’d kept thinking about Graham and the twins.

“Mine, too.”

The two women rose from their seats. They’d sat through the credits, avoiding the rush to the exit by fellow moviegoers.

“I thought the problem might be me,” Patricia said, moving toward the nearest aisle. “I have some heavy-duty stuff going on in my life.”

“What?” Holly asked, immediately concerned.

“Roger and I are getting a divorce.”

“You’re not serious?”

“’Fraid so. I’ll fill you in on the nitty-gritty details over a cup of coffee.”

“Patricia, I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

Holly hated the sense of déjà vu.

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