Chapter 3 - The Voice I Use When I'm LyingMy mother, Noelle, came over the next afternoon. She found me wiping spilled formula from the kitchen counter with my good hand while Callum kicked happily in his seat.
"Hope."
"I'm almost finished."
She took the cloth away. "Sit."
"Mom, the counter is sticky."
"It'll still be sticky five minutes from now."
So I sat. She opened the microwave and found my abandoned cup of tea. "You reheated this already?"
"Twice."
Mom knew me well enough to know I cleaned whenever I felt overwhelmed. She threw the old tea away and made me a fresh cup. "Where's Weston?"
"Work."
"And when he gets home?"
I forced a small smile. "He'll be tired, obviously."
Mom gave me a look. I took a sip. "I'm fine."
"There's that voice you use when you're lying to me."
I looked away. Mom didn't lecture me. Instead, she helped with the twins, washed bottles, cooked dinner, and stayed until after we ate.
That night, Rhett woke up first. Callum followed seconds later. I nudged Weston. "Can you take Callum?"
He rolled onto his stomach. "I have work tomorrow."
"So?"
"I have to be awake in four hours."
Callum's cries got louder. "So do I."
"No, you don't."
I froze. "What does that mean?"
"You can sleep when they sleep."
I almost laughed. Instead, I got out of bed. Callum was still screaming while Weston pulled the blanket over his shoulder and went back to sleep.
Three nights later, Mom called. "My car won't start. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I can't come over."
I looked at the twins. Both desperately needed a bath. "It's okay, Mom."
"Don't try bathing them by yourself."
"I won't."
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"Promise me."
"I'll wait until Weston gets home. Promise."
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