Watching Mine

“Em!” she says excitedly. “Guess what?”

“What?” I respond with a smile.

“I made a friend yesterday! Her name’s Lydia and she has this cute little dog with no hair. His name is Dobby, just like from Harry Potter! That’s so funny, isn’t it?” She laughs, and I can’t help but laugh with her.

“It sure is, sweetie.”

“I’ll be right back,” Mom says, then the screen jostles as she hands the phone to Avery.

“How was the scuba diving?” I ask, once she’s settled.

Her face gets closer to the screen. “It was soooo much fun, Em! There were all kinds of pretty coral. And the fish were pretty neat too. One of them swam by my foot and it tickled.”

My smile grows. “I’m so glad you’re having a good time.”

?

??I miss you and can’t wait to see you again. Are we still going to see that scary movie when we get back?”

I swallow past the thick lump that forms in my throat when she says she misses me. I miss her so damn much it hurts. It’s only been a few days since they’ve been gone, but it feels so much longer than that. I’m used to seeing her almost every day.

“We sure are,” I reassure her. “Then snow cones afterward.”

“Yah!” She bounces on the bed, making the screen bounce with her.

Mom appears back on the screen. “All right, that’s enough of that.” She takes the phone from Avery, who giggles. “Go get dressed. Your dad is almost ready to go down for breakfast.”

“Okay, Mom.” Just like every time Avery calls my mom Mom, a pang hits my chest. She leans over and kisses Mom’s cheek before turning to look back at the phone. “Bye, Em! Love you!” And with a wave, she’s off.

I smile as she skips away.

“That girl is a ball of energy.” Mom states the obvious.

“That she is.”

“Listen, sweetie, I hate to run, but your dad’s coming out of the bathroom now, and you know how he gets if he doesn’t get his morning coffee.”

My lips quirk up. My dad is a total drama queen when it comes to his morning coffee.

“Go.” I laugh. “Get the monster caffeine before he turns into the Hulk and destroys everything around him.”

“Love you. We’ll call later.”

“Love you, too.”

I smile as I end the video call and set my phone down, then grab the small glass jar I keep sugar in. I almost drop it when hands grip my waist. I squeak out a yelp, then hear a chuckle in my ear.

“You scared the shit out of me,” I wheeze and clutch my chest.

Warm lips settle right below my ear and a moan slips out before I can stop it. I grip the edge of the counter for support. It’s amazing how fast this man can turn my legs to jelly.

“That your mom?” he murmurs the question against my skin.

“Yes,” I breathe, turning my head to the side to give him easier assess.

“And I assume your little sister?”

I close my eyes and pause for a moment before repeating, “Yes.”