We agree that the roof of the shed in my garden is flat and easy to access. It’s a nice and sunny spot. Perfect for writing the final draft of my story for The Moth. I end up writing at my kitchen table again instead. This really should be my only activity for the rest of the day. After eight minutes of editing, spelling, and grammar the kids arrive home from school. They took the bus home together because this year my son started going to the same school as my daughter. This warms my heart much more than it does theirs.
4:14 p.m.
We discuss homework. They eat the sugary snacks. It’s time to deliver the kitten before my kids convince me to keep him. I pack up a bag of things like some dry food, a few sweaters, nail clippers, his documents, etc. I’ll hand this to her first and tell her it’s the present. I also included a list of name ideas. My favorite is Dennis and Igor.
6:40 p.m.
When I get back I make mac and cheese and broccoli. Quickly. Tonight I’m supposed to go on a date. A friend set me up with a guy she met at a gallery opening a few night before. I consider cancelling. The kids tell me they want me to go.
Courtesy of Jemima Kirke
8:50 p.m.
I’m meeting him at a restaurant nearby. But there’s no time to change. On the way I text him to order me an extra large piña colada. Just to see what he’d do. Upon arriving he tells me they didn’t have that here and asks is there anything else I’d like. That was perfect. He believed me. Then he got the joke. We get our food to go because we like each other and I have to be home before 10. The kids have finished their homework, and I’m so grateful that they waited up. They have done their homework.
10:15 p.m.
I try out face taping for the first time, pulling up various YouTube tutorials. I try them all. The kids are somewhat disturbed. But we all pile into bed together anyway. They ask me about the date. I said, it was great and thank you so much for making me go. I assure them that nothing is gonna change anytime soon and for now, it’s still just me and them.