“I thought we’d take a family vacation when the babies were older. Maybe for their first birthday.”
Ryan actually laughed in my face.
“What about me?”
“But have you earned a vacation?”
The kitchen went silent.
Even Soleil stopped fussing for a second.
I stared at him.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me.”
“What did you say?”
“I take care of three babies all day and all night.”
“You don’t work.”
“I left my job because we agreed I would stay home.”
“And I’m the one paying for everything.”
He swept one hand around the room as if he’d purchased the walls, the babies, and me.
My voice shook.
“You don’t work.”
“I nearly died bringing them home.”
“I know.”
“No, you know it happened. You don’t act like it mattered.”
Ryan grabbed his phone.
“I’m going, Shannon. You haven’t earned a break, and I’m not arguing about it.”
He walked upstairs.
I stood there with Soleil’s bottle in my hand.
“I nearly died bringing them home.”
***
For months, I’d wondered how to make him understand.
That afternoon, I realized he already knew.
He just didn’t care enough to help.
***
The next morning, Ian and Jason pulled into the driveway, honking.
Ryan posed with Luna, then handed her back before she could grab his collar.
“Try not to make me feel guilty while I’m gone,” he said.
I realized he already knew.
I held Luna against my chest.
“I don’t have the energy to make you feel anything.”
He kissed the top of her head, picked up his suitcase, and left.
***
The following morning, I was buckling Luna into her carrier when my phone alarm went off.
“TRIPLETS’ SIX-MONTH CHECKUP – 9:30.”
I looked at the clock. It was 8:41.
I held Luna.
Soleil cried as I lifted her, Bodhi kicked off one sock, and the diaper bag fell twice before I strapped them in.
I reached for the key hook.
Empty.
I checked the counter, my purse, and the junk drawer. Both sets were gone, even though Ryan’s friends had picked him up.
I called him.
He answered over music and voices. “What’s wrong, Shannon?”
I reached for the key hook.
“Where are the car keys?”
A pause.
“I took them.”
“Both sets?”
“I didn’t want you driving around alone with all three babies.”
I stared at the carriers. “You don’t get to decide that after leaving me alone with them.”
“Where are the car keys?”
“Stay home.”
“They have a checkup in 40 minutes.”
“I forgot. Reschedule it.”
“No. They’ve waited weeks.”
“Then call Shaun.”
I looked at Luna chewing her strap, Soleil crying, and Bodhi watching me quietly.
“You took my way out because you wanted control, Ryan.”
“I forgot. Reschedule it.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“It is now.”
I ended the call and called my brother.
“Hey, trouble,” he said. “What’s wrong?”
“Shaun, I need a ride. It’s for the babies.”
His voice changed immediately. “I’m coming.”
“What’s wrong?”
“And Shaun?”
“Yeah?”
I looked around the kitchen. Bottles covered the counter. Ryan’s coffee mug was still beside the sink.
“After the appointment, I need help moving.”
He paused.
“Are you sure?”
That’s why I trusted him.
“And Shaun?”
He didn’t tell me what to do.
He asked.
“I’ve never been more sure.”
***
