Chapter 40
Monday morning. Paisley finished her work to find Serena already awake.
"Mommy," Serena mumbled sleepily from her bed.
Paisley found her daughter rubbing her eyes, hair a mess. "Mommy, do I gotta go to school today?" Serena asked, her babyish mispronunciation endearing.
"No, not today. I'll find you a better school," Paisley said, remembering the incident at Serena's old preschool.
Serena's face fell. "But I liked Ms. Johnson."
Paisley hoped Sophia, Ms. Johnson, wasn't affected by the fallout. "If you don't go to school, how about this? I'll stay home with you. We can go to the park after breakfast!"
Serena's eyes lit up. "Yeah!" she squealed, hugging Paisley.
The bedroom door creaked open. Grayson stood in the doorway.
"Good morning," Paisley greeted him.
"Morning," Grayson replied, his expression unreadable.
"School today?" Paisley asked, glancing at the clock. "I can take you."
Grayson shook his head. "Dad gave me the day off. He'll pick me up."
Paisley frowned. Dominick's logic baffled her. She muttered under her breath, "Honestly, what's wrong with that man..." Catching herself, she said, "Go wash up. Breakfast soon."
Over the past two days, Serena and Grayson had coexisted relatively peacefully. Grayson mostly kept to himself, occasionally offering a snarky comment.
After breakfast prep, Paisley called out, "Breakfast is ready!"
Grayson sat down, his face falling at the sight of plain pasta.
"What's wrong?" Paisley asked.
"Why isn't it rainbow pasta?" Grayson complained.
Paisley was taken aback. "It takes too long to make rainbow pasta," she said, settling Serena in her booster seat.
"I don't want this! I want rainbow pasta! Make it!" Grayson demanded, ignoring his bowl.
Paisley sighed, moving his bowl aside. Her voice turned cold. "Don't eat then. Your choice."
Grayson stared, then stomped to his room, slamming the door.
Serena looked up, wide-eyed. "Mommy, what's wrong with Grayson?"
"Nothing, sweetheart," Paisley said, keeping her tone light. "Just finish your breakfast."