โ
So, uh, where should Iโฆ?โ I told up the pizza boxes as I trail off.
โOh, right. Kitchen tableโs fine.โ
โIโll show you!โ Madison announces, as if I donโt know where it is, but I let her lead me there anyway. Kennedy shuts the door and follows behind us. I set the boxes on the table, and Madison doesnโt hesitate, popping the top one open. She makes a face, looking horrified. โGross!โ
โWhat in the world are youโ?โ Kennedy laughs as she glances at the pizza. โHam and pineapple.โ
โWhy is that fruit on the pizza?โ Madison asks.
โBecause itโs good,โ Kennedy says, snatching the top box away before opening the other one. โThere, that oneโs for you.โ
Madison shrugs it off, grabbing a slice of cheese pizza, eating straight from the box. Iโm gathering this is normal, since Kennedy sits down beside her to do the same.
โYou remembered,โ she says plucking a piece of pineapple off a slice of pizza and popping it in her mouth.
โOf course,โ I say, grabbing a slice of cheese from the box Madison is hoarding. โPretty sure Iโm scarred for life because of it. Not something I can forget.โ
She laughs, the sound soft, as she gives me one of the most genuine smiles Iโve seen in a while. It fades as she averts her gaze, but goddamn it, it happened.
โYou shoulda gots the breads,โ Madison says, standing on her chair as she leans closer, vying for my attention like sheโs afraid I might not see her. โAnd the chickens!โ
โAh, didnโt know you liked those,โ I tell her, โor I wouldโve gotten them.โ
โNext time,โ she says, just like that, no question about it.
โNext time,โ I say.
โAnd soda, too,โ she says.
โNo soda,โ Kennedy chimes in.
Madison glances at her mother before leaning even closer, damn near right up on me, whisper-shouting, โSoda.โ
โIโm not so sure your mom will like that,โ I say.
โItโs okay,โ Madison says. โShe tells Grandpa no soda, too, but he lets me have it.โ
โThatโs because you emotionally blackmail him,โ Kennedy says.
โNuh-uh!โ Madison says, looking at her mother. โI donโt blackmail him!โ
Kennedy scoffs. โHow do you know? You donโt even know what that means.โ
โSo?โ Madison says. โI donโt mail him nothing!โ
...
โYou give him those sad puppy-dog eyes,โ Kennedy says, grabbing Madison by the chin, squeezing her chubby cheeks. โAnd you tell him youโll love him โthe mostestโ if he gives you some Coca-Cola to drink.โ
โ โCuz I will,โ Madison says.
โThatโs emotional blackmail.โ
โOh.โ Madison makes a face, turning to me when her mother lets go of her. โHow โbout root beer?โ
โIโm afraid not,โ I tell her. โSorry.โ
Madison scowls, hopping down from the table to grab a juice box from the refrigerator.
โ
โ
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)