“Do you think he took my underwear?”
“He looked as shocked as we were.”
“But, he’s a rat-bastard.”
She shakes her head side to side, looking contemplative, like she’s weighing it all out.
“Ugh,” I grunt.
“Okay, emergency underwear shopping needed?”
“No. I have another dozen pairs with me. But, still…What the heck?”
***
It’s two hours later and I’m on the way to the laundry room across the hall and I hear peals of laughter from the living room.
“Car—ee!” The little guy spots me.
He and Aiden are wrestling on the rug. Spiderman is playing on the big screen TV.
I wave at him and try to keep going to my room.
“I Piderman. What super hero are you, Car-ee?” He’s in the mouth of the hallway now.
“Um, Wonderwoman, I guess.”
“Nope. I fink Back Wi-ow.”
“I’m not familiar with her,” I admit.
“Avengers,” Aiden calls out, not looking at me. ”Braeden likes Marvel. You’re talkin’ DC.”
“Huh?”
“DC Comics. Different universe. Never mind,” he mumbles.
“Car-ee, do you like Piderman?”
“I do,” I tell him.
I head to the kitchen to get some water and see that he’s washed some dishes. They’re sitting there in the drying rack. He washed some dishes and a pot. I blink in surprise.
“We had dinner. Did you had dinner?” Braeden asks.
“No, not yet,” I say. “I’m gonna go out soon and grab something. What did you guys have?”
“Crap cheese and macamoni,” Braeden informs. “Unco Ay-ben maked it. He puts ketchup on it. The crap cheese and macamoni and ketchup were in my nap pack. Mommy doesn’t make the box one, but Unco Ay-ben knows it’s my favorite. Uncle Auz too. I see Unco Auz lotsa. But Unco Ay-ben lives in New Ork. So, you live here with Unco Ay-ben? Did you get married to him? I’m two and close to free. How many are you?”
A
iden snickers, his eyes are still on the screen.
Braeden is in the kitchen area with me now.
“I’m twenty-three and no. I’m not married. I work with your uncles and I moved here from another city so your grandpa’s company has let me live here for a little while. I’m going to get my own apartment soon.”
He waves his little hand. “My Mommy says it’s good to live with someone. Not to be lonely. We all wowwy bout Unco Ay-ben being lonely. My Mommy has to stay in bed cuzza the baby in her tummy. Her tummy is gi-or-ness.”