“How would you feel about going away for a couple of days? Iz, would you like to see Noah? I think we need to get out of here, the five of us, together.”
“Can we, daddy?” Iz’s face lit right up.
Miranda shook her head and smiled. “I guess I need to call Van and let her know.”
“I’ll call her. Someone’s going to have to make sure there is toilet paper and ketchup stocked.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. “Do I even want to know why we’d need only those two things?”
I really didn’t have a reason, but I did like driving her crazy with nonsense. “It’s a secret.”
“I hate when you have secrets, Ty. They never turn out good.”
I laughed at her comment. Even though she knew me better than anyone else, I still was able to catch her off guard. Of all the people in my life, Miranda was the hardest one to make laugh. I think I annoyed her with my bantering to the point that she’d taught herself how to ignore me.
For the most part, I made it a mission to act extra obnoxious, just to get a rise out of her.
After we’d cleaned up the mess, I grabbed my phone and sat at the table across from Miranda, dialing Van’s number. We’d talked almost every day, and after the whole cancer episode, Colt had finally chilled out about it.
“Good morning, Ty.”
“Oh my God, have you brushed your teeth yet? I can smell your breath through the phone.”
“You’re smelling your own breath. What do you want? I’m not in the mood for you this early, and since you’re being your normal douche-bag self, I’d imagine you’re not calling because something is wrong.”
“Okay, you got me. Nothing’s wrong. I miss the hell out of you and need a hug.” I winked at Miranda, who sipped at her coffee, shaking her head at me.
“I saw you a couple weeks ago. I’m in the middle of making breakfast. Can I call you back?”
“No! Iz wants to come see Noah. We’ll be there in two days. Get your ass to the store and make sure the guest house has toilet paper and ketchup.”
“What?” I could tell she was wondering why I wanted toilet paper and ketchup. “The house already has those things, but I can make sure to adjust the temperature. Oh wait, didn’t I tell you that we’re going away? We won’t even be here.”
I looked over at Izzy and knew how excited she would be to see Noah. It had been a long time and they were still so close. “Cancel your plans. We need family time.”
A deep voice shocked me as it spoke on the other end of the phone. “We ain’t goin’ anywhere. She’s yankin’ your chain.”
“She wishes she was yanking me.”
Colt couldn’t help but put his foot in his mouth. Didn’t he know I waited like a wild animal, to pounce on his every word?
Van got back on the phone. She was whispering, asking him why he didn’t want to talk anymore. I continued to laugh as she spoke. “What did you say to him? He just walked out front. Why must you piss him off?”
“Because it’s so much fun. Chill out, I’ll be there to make things better in a couple of days.”
“Yay,” she said sarcastically.
“Wear something hot. I’m tired of seeing you in those church clothes you keep wearing.”
“My clothes are fashionable,” she argued.
“You dress like the Amish.”
“Goodbye, Ty.”
“Love you bunches, Van. I’m coming for you in two days.”
She’d hung up, and I wasn’t sure if my last comment was for nothing.
Miranda sat there, watching me. She had that scornful mother look on her face. “I’m goin’ to regret sayin’ this to you, but I’m glad you’re gettin’ back to your old self again. It makes me feel like things are goin’ to be alright.”
I reached my hand across the table and touched hers. “Baby, everything’s going to be fine. Izzy is home and she’s better. The worst is over.”
“I think goin’ to Kentucky is a good idea. Maybe we all need to get away for a couple of days.”
I heard screaming coming from the living room. Izzy had grabbed the remote and turned off the boy’s game. She had half the remote, while Jake had the other. “Gimme it, you little jerk!”
I turned back to Miranda. “Can we take separate cars?”
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “We should.”
As we both walked into the living room, to bring order to the newest conflict, I felt confident that the worst was behind us.
Our lives could return to chaos and everything was going to be okay.
Seeing her fighting with her brother was a good sign of that. It gave me peace knowing that she was home and getting healthier by the day.