Jen can see Mikolaj from her window in Alby’s house. He’s holding the smoker above the beehives, luring the occupants from within to dance their figure 8s above his masked head. To the right, she sees a puff of dust in the lane way that means Jace is almost there.
“Okay, Pumpkin, Daddy’s here, let’s get your backpack,” Jen says, standing up from the window seat and gently helping Chris to the ground.
“Going to daddy’s house?” Chris says. “I want doggie to come.” He toddles over to his bed and picks up his favorite friend. They head downstairs so Chris can say goodbye to Alby, who is nursing Annalise. Chris climbs up into her lap and gives her a hug and a kiss goodbye while Alby adjusts Annalise to make room.
Jace is knocking on the back door, and Jen can see him looking at his watch. She goes to the door and hands him a bag of clothes and Chris’s backpack.
“Give this to Saint, they should fit Jason,” she says.
“Thanks,” Jace says, and flushes a little. Chris runs up to him and he swoops him up into his arms.
“Wave goodbye to mommy,” he says, and Chris reaches out for a goodbye kiss.
“Say ‘see you Sunday, mommy!”
Chris repeats the promise.
Jen blows him a kiss, then watches through the screen door as they walk toward the car, where Saint awaits them. She watches them buckle Chris into the toddler seat next to the infant car seat. Saint looks tired and flabby, like she’s been up all night and never gets to the gym anymore. Jen never imagined this outcome, but there is a peace about it, an almost pre-destined feel. She could never have imagined it, but now that it is this way, it feels right. Saint always wanted her life. Now she has it. Jen picks up her yoga bag and keys and thinks to herself ‘Be careful what you ask for, Saint,’ but it’s more from pity than malice.
She’s looking forward to a quiet afternoon. After yoga, she has new work to begin.