Page 153 of Clinically Delicious
“The upstairs has three bedrooms,” I explained, guiding Ms. Rodriguez toward the stairs. “Megan’s room, our room, and a guest room that we use as an office.”
We climbed the stairs, Cate’s hand finding mine, gripping tight enough to cut off circulation.
Behind us, I heard Fitz whisper something to Nathan.
Nathan’s response: a barely suppressed snort.
I’m going to kill them.
I’m going to kill them both.
Slowly.
Megan’s room was perfect because it had been perfect before the chaos started. Her bed was made, her toys organized, her bookshelf neat. The walls were decorated with her drawings, carefully framed.
“This is lovely,” Ms. Rodriguez commented, stepping inside. “Very age-appropriate.”
“I wanted Megan to have a space that felt like hers.”
Ms. Rodriguez made a note, and for the first time, I thought it might be a positive one. “And where is Megan now?”
“Downstairs with—” I started.
“I’M HERE!” Megan’s voice rang out from the hallway.
She appeared in the doorway, grinning, her braids slightly mussed from playing.
Thank God she looks normal.
Thank God she’s not covered in glitter or holding evidence of our disaster.
“Hi!” Megan said brightly. “Are you the lady who’s visiting?”
“I am,” Ms. Rodriguez said, her expression softening slightly. “I’m Ms. Rodriguez. It’s nice to meet you, Megan.”
“It’s nice to meet you too! Do you want to see my room? Cate helped me decorate it. She’s really good at decorating. And cooking. And playing. She’s the best.”
Something in my chest tightened.
She loves her.
Megan really loves her.
“Your room is beautiful,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “Do you like living here?”
“I love it! I have Cate and Daddy, and we do fun things together. Cate took me to the park! And we make dinner together. And Cate reads me stories. She does all the voices.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Ms. Rodriguez said, writing more notes.
Good notes.
Please let those be good notes.
“Cate’s really nice too,” Megan continued, bouncing slightly. “Like when she broke my arm. She cried, and she stayed with me at the hospital the whole time.”
No.
No, no, no.
