Page 74 of Ice Cold Hearts

“I’m so glad your teacher was there to help you.” She smiles. “Did you feel better after talking to your teacher?”

“Not right away, but I did once all my cries were gone,” Audrey replies.

“Good.” Emily gives Audrey a loud smooch on her cheek. “That’s what I’m doing right now, just like you did with your teacher. Uncle Ian was helping me get all my cries out. There’s nothing to worry about, Pumpkin. I’m feeling better already.”

Seeing her take the time to explain her feelings in a way Audrey could handle while still staying the adult in the situation brings an ache to my chest. My father was in the military and had seen a lot of ugly things in his life. We traveled with him when we could, but he was deployed elsewhere a lot. Every time he came back, he got quieter and quieter. He did his best, but he wasn’t exactly the best at modeling emotional regulation. He was either closed off completely or holed up in the basement or garage of whatever house we were in at the time, taking out his trauma on a punching bag.

Mom wasn’t much better. She was an anxious woman on a good day, but when Dad was gone, there was no room in the house for anyone else’s feelings, not even her son’s. She’s doing better and finally started going to a therapist. Even so, I’m glad she and Dad are stationed half a world away.

There’s a tug on my sleeve.

“Scuse me, Uncle Ian, I was asking you something.” Audrey says.

“I’m sorry, Little Pea, I didn’t hear you. Can you say it again?” I ask.

“Do you have bubble bath?” she repeats.

I look over at Emily, but she just shrugs.

“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “Why?”

She looks at me like I’m the stupidest creature on the planet.

“Mama got all her cries out,” she says slowly, “so she needs a bubble bath. When all your cries are done, your mom gives you a bubble bath. Nana’s not here, so I think it’s okay if you do it.”

“Audrey, honey, that’s very sweet, but I don’t need a bubble bath,” she protests.

I shake my head. “Uh-uh, rules are rules. When your cries are done, you have to have a bath.”

“All right,” Emily says resignedly. “If I have to have a bath, I need an Audrey sandwich first.”

Audrey squeals as we wrap our arms around each other and squeeze her tightly in the middle. We blow raspberries on her cheeks until she starts wriggling.

She giggles. “No more! No more!”

We let her go, and she pops up off the couch and immediately puts her hands on her hips.

“Bathtime, Mama,” she commands.

Emily looks scandalized, but I just laugh. “I guess Uncle Alexei’s rubbing off on her a bit, huh?”

“Apparently,” she says dryly.

“Oliver, Alexei, stop lurking behind the door and come play with Audrey so Emily can take a bath,” I call.

Oliver slinks in guiltily, but Alexei saunters in with his head held high like he hadn’t just been caught eavesdropping.

Some things never change.

“We’ll take it from here,” Alexei insists. “You go take care of Emily.”

“Give her extra bubbles,” Audrey orders, then as an afterthought adds, “Please?”

I wink. “I think I can manage that.”

She shoos us to the stairs, giggling the whole way.

“That little lady really is something else,” I say, turning on the faucets.