After breakfast, I clean up while Joey and Allie take the littles to get ready for the day.

I quietly say, "Just feel stupid."

"Probably only realized when Granddad showed up, honestly. His friend was pretty fucking proud of himself the day after it happened when he cornered me at school." I mutter and take a deep breath. "My own stupid fault. Trusting him with my drinks and the pot."

I quietly say, "I hear Granddad Eric and Uncle Anthony absconded with them already, so there's likely no one left to set on fire."

(Joey)

I sit against a tree and close my eyes as I let shuffle switch songs.

youtu.be/nA2k79EGHbc?...

I nod. "They seem to be, at least. Yeah." I wince a bit when I shift and my stitches pull. I take a slow breath and shift again.

(Joey)

I sing along with the music as I continue walking.

youtu.be/969RAKkYESU?...

"Pretty sure Mama and Roman are together already anyway. They're just taking their time telling us." I say as I hop up on the counter.

I shake my head. "Not right now. Mama is spiralling thanks to..." I wrinkle my nose and say in a disgusted tone, "...Grandpa Jake."

I laugh. "Well, that's news to me."

I snort. "Yeah...Because that's likely on a family vacation."

I roll my eyes. "Why does he act like you don't usually keep your word? It's not like you've ever kept the kids from him and his miserable family."

I grin and dance a little as I put a batch of cookies in the oven.

I giggle. "But they'd be such cute popsicles."

I hug her tightly and laugh. "I'm mostly hiding from the littles so we have a chance of still having cookies on Friday. And yes, I'd love some help. I'm making enough that everyone can join in on game day if they want to."

Hiding out here is required since if I try to bake in our kitchen, my siblings will end up eating all the cookies before they're even cool.

I whisper, "So you understand that ignoring you in particular wasn't my goal?"