Robbie was sleeping, tangling around me like a vine. It took me ten whole minutes to untangle myself from his octopus-like grip. Getting down, I glanced at Robbie's pretty face, which now has an unhealthy pallor over it, with visible dark circles under his eyes and unkempt hair over his forehead. The past few days must have been quite hard on him. His confrontation with his dad has resulted in him being in a difficult situation. Although he did not mention details of the dispute, I knew he left his house in the end. He did not even tell me where he was staying. According to him, the less I know, the better.
It is hard not to feel sorry for the difficult situation he has landed in. I wanted to tell him to make peace with his dad, but thinking of the conditions his dad has put forward, I cannot bring myself to say it. I patted his head subconsciously but quickly withdrew my hand when I saw him moving. Shaking my head, I went out to get refreshed.
Twen woke up half an hour later when I was busy preparing breakfast, rubbing his eyes and looking sleepy.
"Morning sleepyhead," I called from the kitchen.
He looked at me, yawning as he mumbled, "Good morning mommy."
"Quickly take a bath and get ready! I have to leave early today," I said, taking two eggs out of the fridge.
"Mommy, where were you yesterday?" Twen asked, pouting sourly.
I looked at his upset pouty face and couldn't help smiling. He looks too cute when he is mad! I said apologetically, "Sorry, kid, I was really very busy yesterday."
"You always have so much work," Twen grumbled.
I turned down the flames, strolled to him, and picked him up in my arms. Lifting him in my arms is becoming more difficult. Well, he is a growing boy, it is bound to get difficult. I pinched his nose and said with a kiss on his cheek,
"Mommy's job is very time-consuming, but I will try my best to come to your side as fast as possible. Okay?"
"Mmmm," he grumbled, still looking upset.
I wish I could reduce my work hours. In an effort to compensate for yesterday and comfort him, I replied with a big smile,
"Kiddo, today is aunty Tanya's birthday. Would you like to go there together with me? We will have lots of fun."
"Really?" he asked, his eyes glowing.
"Yep!"
"Okay, let's go," he said, jumping in my arms and hugging me.
Once he left my neck, I placed him on the floor and said, patting his head, "Now, quickly get ready! Chop! Chop!"
I was almost done with my breakfast when a pair of hands wrapped around my waist, and a kiss was planted on my temple.
"Good morning," Robbie drawled.
"Good morning," I replied.
I feel like Robbie just loves hugging me from the back. He always embraces me from behind and places his chin on my shoulder like a big kid!
"What are you making?" he asked, sniffing like a mastiff.
"Just some buttered toast and sunny side up," I said, placing toasts on three plates.
"I like scrambled eggs," Robbie said, eyeing the sunny side up.
"You have to wake up early to tell me your breakfast choice!" I said, hitting him lightly over the head. To which he pouted but didn't say anything, "Anyway, you said you have some important work to do today, right?"
"Mmmmm," Robbie mumbled.
I rolled my eyes. What's with this uncanny similarity between this father and son duo? Both of them even respond similarly. It's like living with two Robbies, one adult version and one miniature version. Just yesterday, the adult version called me several times because he was worried and got upset because I didn't pick up the call. The miniature version got worried and upset because I was late. I sighed. What am I gonna do with these two?
"So, when will you be leaving?" I asked, putting the sunny side up on two plates.
"Around nine!" Robbie said, leaving me with a quick kiss on the neck, "Are you leaving now?"
"Yeah," I said, placing the breakfast on the table, "I have a morning shift today! Twen will be ready in a few. I'll drop him at school. Your breakfast is on the table."
"You worked late yesterday. You should have taken the afternoon shift," Robbie frowned.
"No! Jenny is in her eighth month of pregnancy. Samuel can't care for both Jenny and Twen simultaneously. So, I have been thinking of making the morning shift permanent as long as it is not very necessary to change," I replied.
"What if I picked up Twen from Samuel's place? Then, you can relax a bit, right?" Robbie said, crossing his arms.
I took off my apron and looked at Robbie in a slight surprise. "Picking him up? Will your work even permit you to be so free?"
"Work is indeed quite hectic at the moment. However, it is mostly this month, as I have been working on a merger deal with the 'Plaza hotel'. In fact, I'll be leaving next week for the meeting. Before that, mum will return, so I am thinking of meeting her and deciding on what to do about the current situation. Once all is done, I think I can take a break. I can make the time easily then!"
"Still, I do not want to stress you out further. You're already looking exhausted from running around. I don't want to add to your bulged up schedule," I said, shrugging.
"How about this then? Whenever your work overtime or you have an afternoon shift, I can pick Twen up!" Robbie suggested.
This was actually not a bad idea. I pretended to think a bit and said in a wondering voice, "We can do that! It's not a bad idea! Since winter has started and the traffic in hotels has increased, my work hours have been continuously fluctuating. This can actually be feasible for both of us."
"See, you can always come up with a solution," Robbie chuckled.
Twen came just as Robbie finished talking. Twen eyed Robbie with a look that clearly said 'Why-is-he-here-again' but didn't say anything.
"Morning, kid!" Robbie greeted.
"Morning," Twen mumbled moodily.
"Twen breakfast is on the table. Hurry and finish it. It's nearly 7:30!"
Twen tottered to the table and started munching on his toast. Robbie patted his head, seeing him eat before ambling past the table to the washroom.
As Twen and I were about to leave, I saw Robbie settle in at the dining table and munch on his toast. I opened the door and pushed Twen forward gently out of the door. I heard Robbie call,
"Have a nice day, Twen!"
"Hmmm," he answered moodily.
I patted Twen's head, realizing that Twen is still not comfortable with Robbie, but I was proud to see that he was at least trying instead of throwing tantrums. The whole thing would have been strange if he suddenly became friendly with him. Robbie has also come to understand that, so he won't push him too hard either. He is also hoping for time to heal their relationship.
"Lock the door when you leave," I told him, holding the door handle.
Robbie rolled his eyes and said, chuckling slightly, "Of course, I will, I am not stupid! Call me once you're done."
"Yeah," I said, closing the door.
I sat in my Toyota, smiling to myself before starting the car. This morning was the same and still so different. Robbie and I stayed the night together, conversed about regular issues, and spent the morning like a normal family does. I was feeling strange and happy at the same time.
"Mommy, what are you looking at?" Twen called as I remained sitting staring at the space.
"Nothing," I smiled, starting the car.