Extrait

“Gooey, did you get something from the fridge?”

“Apple juice.”

I pinched the tip of my nose again. “Did you grab the ketchup bottle by any chance?”

He stopped playing his game to glance up and give me a curious expression. “How’d you know?”

“Because there’s a big red stain on your shirt, Goo.”

Louie’s hands immediately went to his chest and started patting around as he tried to find the spot. “I didn’t eat anything!”

“I believe you,” I moaned, trying to think if he had any other dress shirts that he hadn’t out grown.

He didn’t, and we didn’t have time to wash this one. Ginny’s wedding was in half an hour.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

It was just a shirt and he was just a kid. It wasn’t the end of the world. “It’s fine.”

“I promise! I didn’t eat anything!”

“I believe you. You probably just held the ketchup bottle too close to you, you sloppy mess.” I stared at him for a moment longer before telling him, “Come here. Maybe I can wipe off the worst of it with a napkin.”

He tipped his chin down to try and see his collar. Without a warning, he poked at the button closest to his neck, tugged the material away from him and stuck his tongue out. He licked at the ketchup spot. Over and over again.

“Louie! Oh my God, give me a towel. Don’t lick it off, Jesus.” I laughed, knowing I shouldn’t but not being able to stop myself.

One blue eye peeked at me as he licked it again. “Why? I’m saving water. I’m saving the Earth.”

Saving the Earth. If I hadn’t just spent twenty minutes putting on makeup, I would have smacked myself in the forehead. “Stop. Stop. Leave it alone. It’s fine. You can save the Earth another way.”

“Are you sure? I can lick more.”

That really made me laugh. “Yes, stop. Put your tongue back in your mouth, nasty.”