“Then let’s go inside. Go wash your hands and meet me in the kitchen.”

They nodded and went toward the bathroom. Momma was in the kitchen, scooping the cookies onto a platter with a spatula.

“I made a dozen or so. Do you think that’s enough?” she said.

“Well, young boys are eating machines,” I said. “And these two need some serious TLC this afternoon.”

“He told them?” she said.

“Yes,” I said. “They’re not happy at all.”

“How could they be?”

Momma gave me one of her signature harrumphs. We were still incredulous over Archie’s judgment. It was still less than a year since Carin died. Nothing, not one thing, about this upcoming marriage felt right.

The boys came in with long faces and slumped into their chairs at the table.

“Hey, Miss Katherine,” Tyler said. “How’re you?”

“Yeah, hi, Miss Katherine,” Hunter said.

They felt hopeless.

“White milk or chocolate milk?” my mother said.

She was going all out.

“Chocolate,” they said and then added, “Thanks.”

The sighing coming from Tyler and Hunter was profound. They perked up a little when the glasses of chocolate milk were delivered with the warm cookies. They smelled so good, I reached for one. Momma swatted the back of my hand.

“Those are not for you, Holly. If you want cookies, I imagine you know how to bake them?”

I cut her some side eye and she gave it right back to me. Tyler and Hunter giggled and it lightened the mood a little bit.

“She’s a mean old thing,” I said to them.

“Watch your mouth,” Momma said and winked at the boys.

“Okay, let’s hear the story,” I said.

“My life just blew up,” Tyler said.

“Yeah,” Hunter said. “Mine, too.”

“Oh, come on now,” I said. “Look, maybe it won’t be a bad thing. Maybe she’ll turn out to be a lot of fun. And the next thing you know, you’ll both be going to college and then out into the world to do great things!”

“For once, I agree with my daughter,” Momma said. “And you know what? Sharon might be really nervous about getting married and suddenly, boom! She’s a stepmom, too! It’s a lot for her to take on. Think about it.”

“That’s right,” I said. “If you two wanted to make your daddy happy, and I know you do, you’ll be happy for him.”

“Yeah, we know all that, right?” Tyler looked at Hunter who was nodding in agreement. “But here’s the thing. We don’t need another mother. We’re fine just like we are.”