Chapter 79

Benjamin pumped his fist behind Erin’s back and gave me a grateful look. Anger darkened Craig’s eyes and told me I was in serious trouble for accepting Erin’s offer.

The boys came running up excitedly to Benjamin talking at once telling them about all the junk food they had eaten. With the patience only an older sibling would have, he listened to their animated prattle and still manage to make the right noises or comments. Finally, when he mentioned going to the store the boys begged to go with him. They all looked at me with big pleading eyes. Even Erin was addled enough to seem to want to spend some time with my sugar crazed children.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked them both.

“You know I love hanging out with the kids,” Benny insisted.

“I’d love to play with them,” Erin reassured me. “I haven’t seen anyone else in days.”

“Please, Mom. Please, please, please,” Marcus and Johnny begged in tandem.