“Yes, pease!”
“I love your manners. Okay, let’s get you dressed and then we’ll go.”
It takes a lot longer and a lot more energy than I expected to get a three year old dressed and out the door, so by the time we’re parking on Main Street in front of the bookstore, I’m exhausted.
I think I can understand why so many parents survive on caffeine.
Pushing open the purple door, I hear the familiar jingle of the bells Paige installed. I had texted her before we left Leo’s house, so my best friend knows to expect us.
“Hello.” Paige appears in front of us with a light smile on her face as she looks down at Vi.
Falling in love with Wyatt softened Paige’s stiff and formal exterior. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved her, even when she was way more reserved. But now she’s much more relaxed and open. Violet really does remind me of her in so many ways; they’re both shy and slow to warm up to new people, but once they get to know you, they show the beautiful heart and soul they have inside.
“Violet, this my best friend Paige. She loves books just as much as you do.” I crouch down beside Vi, but she’s gone shy, turning and burying her head in my shoulder.
“Up, Rena.”
“Oh, okay.” Standing, I lift her into my arms carefully. I’ve never held her, or any kid for that matter, not even our friend Riley’s new baby. And I know it’s because I’m the only option right now, but still, having Violet turn to me for security and comfort makes my heart swell.
“Can you say hi to Paige? Or do you want to just go and look at some books first?”
“Books.”
I give an apologetic shrug of my shoulders to Paige, but she obviously empathizes with Violet.
“I’ll be up front reorganizing some shelves, why don’t you choose a few to take to the chairs and read?”
“Thanks, Paige.” I shoot her a grateful grin and carry Violet toward the back of the store where the children’s books are, then set her down. “Alright kiddo, why don’t you choose two books for us to start with?”
I have to hold back a giggle at how big and round Violet’s eyes are as she takes in all of the books, as well as the brightly coloured cushions and decorations that Paige set up in the children’s corner of the store. One wall has a mural of animals all over it, and Vi heads straight to it, her hand reaching out to touch the monkey swinging from a vine.
“You really like animals, don’t you kiddo?”
“Amals?” She turns to me. “Rena read amals?”
“You want me to read a book about animals? Okay, let’s find one together.”
An hour later, we finally left Pages with two books that Violet chose. As we were walking out, Vi surprised both me and Paige by waving at her and even saying a quiet “fank you” without me telling her to.
From there it was off to the elementary school for a snack and some time on the playground. I keep expecting Violet to get tired, but if anything, she just has more energy as the day goes on. Maybe she’s siphoning it from me because I’m thinking I could use a nap right about now. How parents of more than one kid handle it, I don’t know. How Leo has done it as a single parent, Ireallydon’t know.
When we finally make it back to my car, which we left outside the bookstore, Violet points at the sign for The Nutty Muffin.
“Tweat?”
“Can we get a treat?” I shrug. Leo never said we couldn’t, but I don’t exactly know the protocol on kids and treats. Still, today is a special Serena and Violet day. “Sure, why not. Let’s go. Maybe we’ll choose something for Daddy, too.”
It takes Violet an adorably long time to choose a treat for Leo, but only seconds to pick out her favourite cookie.
By the time we make it back to their house, it’s midafternoon. I rummage through Leo’s cabinets while Violet sits on the floor with her cookie, and when I come across a box of my favourite peppermint tea, I send a mental thank you to Leo for being so thoughtful.
“Alright, what are we going to do now?” I ask, settling down on the floor next to Vi, my tea safely up on the table.
“Read.” Violet thrusts one of her new books out at me, and I take it with a laugh.
“We already read this one three times at the store. You want to hear it again?”
“Read.” She nods. “Pease.”