We Rallied

Today I was not at my best. My mundane Mommy duties were starting to creep in on my Mommy joys and I was aching for a break. I may or may not have been a little snippy with Craig. We ate dinner in near-silence; Craig and I not speaking a word in fear of having it come out not-so-nice. I repeatedly asked him if there was anything wrong and he repeatedly responded, "nothing's wrong." Then I silently groaned when he decided to bring Kyle and join me and the Bigs for their last swimming lesson.

Swimming lessons are something I do with my boys. It's my thing... and he was intruding. The conversation in the van was focused on the Bigs and what they were going to show us tonight. I whisked Ian into the swimming complex while Craig brought Kyle and Shaun to the observation deck. I handed Ian off to his instructor and joined Craig upstairs. We barely spoke but sat beside one another. Quietly smiling and proudly applauding Ian's accomplishments.

Then it was Shaun's turn. We watched him kick and stroke and glide. Both of us stood against the glass railing and anxiously watched Shaun complete his 5 metre swim. We were together and separate at the same time. Our minds focused on our children, our hearts wondering what was so wrong with this day.

Ian fell asleep while we were watching Shaun so I brought Kyle with me when I went to help Shaun shower and dry off and Craig stayed with Ian. We agreed to meet at the main entrance. When I walked out with Kyle on my hip and an overflowing swim bag full of wet towels and swimsuits thrown over my shoulder I saw Craig's face and knew something had happened with Ian. Ian's full length footie jammies were drenched with barf. Craig's new coat had barf all down one arm and seeping through the centre zipper. Without a word he unzipped his jacket and revealed his shirt which was also covered in barf.

"It's okay," I calmly said. "Take off your shirt and coat. You can have my jacket to go grab the van."

"But you only have short sleeves on." He was concerned I'd freeze without a coat.

"It's okay. I only have to be outside a moment. I'll be alright. Go get the van and we'll be okay until you come back."

We rallied and all the way home we held hands.