AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let it go because I have no desire to carry on another disagreeable conversation with Anna. My teeth are grinding together wildly when our son comes out and shows her some of his art.
“Is that one me?”
“Yeah.”
She slicks his hair back. “That’s really great, Dyl.”
“Thanks, Mom. Do you really think they’re good?”
After her confirmation, he runs back to his room just as fast as he came out, smiling this time.
“You know, he had to do that by memory,” I tell her.
“What do you mean?”
“He doesn’t even have a picture of you, Anna.”
“Well, it doesn’t look like he needs one. Look how accurate this is.” She holds the drawing up to her face.
“That’s just because he’s an incredibly smart kid. I don’t think the average kid could do that.”
“Why don’t you let him come with me to Mexico then.”
“What? When? No…”
“That’s where I was headed before getting delayed. Raul is already down there waiting for me. I’ll call him and ask him to buy an extra ticket.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? You keep complaining about all the time I spend away from him. And it is still summer vacation, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes. But—”
Anna doesn’t listen to my response, as usual.
“Hey, Dyl?” she suddenly calls.
“Yeah, Mom?”
“Can you come here for a second?”
“No, Anna. Don’t bring him into this—” I sigh, defeated, when I see Dyl walking into the room. “Do you want to go to Mexico with Mom and her special friend, Raul?”
“What? Like now?”
“As soon as the weather clears.”
“Yeah, that would be awesome! Dad, can I?”
“Yeah, Dad. Can he?” Anna asks, hugging our son from behind.
I pull him away from her. “Do you actually want to do this?”
“Yeah, why not? It sounds like fun.”
“Fine,” I say, trying to hide my annoyance. “But if anything happens, one or both of you need to call me immediately. Do you understand? The first sign of illness, a missing passport, anything.”
“Got it,” Dylan says, with a huge smile.
