Leah conceded that point with a nod. Kids that young could only focus on one thrilling activity at a time. A lot of adults even had that problem sometimes; short attention spans. She turned her head and listened as Rory explained simply that this — this moment right now — was a form of escape, and Leah found that she couldn’t argue the truth of that statement. However small and simple the moment was… it was a return to normalcy.
“Looks like you’ve got a little copycat on your hands,” she observed with amusement as the toddler continued to mimic her.
“Lucky break for me, then. Wouldn’t want to be the reason a little kid’s running around the place yelling profanity.” Probably wouldn’t be the first time that happened, though.
Nodding when Rory told her how old AJ was, Leah was quiet for a moment as she fought to tamp down a twinge of jealousy that the other woman had been able to keep her child. She wondered how the woman had been so lucky. But she wouldn’t ask. She’d never ask that. “And I’m sure he’s a handful, too,” she said, unable to make her tone sound more interested now.
“I should head back inside,” she said, rising from the swing. “See if anybody else needs my help. Can’t sit around swinging all day.” A poor excuse, and probably a rude one, too, but Leah’s good mood had extended out of her reach.
“Enjoy the swings,” she said, forcing herself to smile at Rory and her son before walking off back towards the buildings.