3D: Growing Old

“Hey, good looking,” Jonathan said. “What’s got you so far away?”

She didn’t hear him come downstairs and jumped at his voice. He fumbled in the refrigerator for a few seconds and returned with eggs, ham, English muffins, and a jar of yellow sauce. Skyla admired how quickly he created fantastic meals with such simple ingredients. If it were up to her, she’d still be staring into the fridge wondering what to make. A lack of skill wasn’t her problem. She lacked creativity. Thank the Watcher she married a passionate chef who saved their family from years of boring, simple meals.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

Poaching eggs was like tieing his shoelaces; he could do it with his eyes closed in record time. Whenever she tried it, she ended up with a goopy mess. He almost never timed anything. Yes. He was that good. If doctors ever analyzed his blood, surely they’d find tiny pots and pans stuck between the DNA strands.

“About what?”

“Our appointment later,” she whispered despite the empty house.

“What’s there to be nervous about? We’re getting glasses not heart surgery.”

“But, we’ve never been so old before.”

He turned toward her and chuckled. “Well, yes my dear, that’s how it works.”

“You know what I mean,” she said, rolling her eyes. “We didn’t get this far last time. At least I didn’t.”

He sighed, caressing her cheek. “Sky … There’s nothing to worry about. It’s not like we’re gonna suddenly be different people. You’ll still be the sexiest woman alive. And, I’ll still be handsome and charming. Besides, we still have a good amount of time before our birthdays.”

His words eased her anxiety only a little. The youth potion returned so much life, and honestly, she was not ready for it to end while knowing she still had so much life to live. “I know. There’s just something about getting glasses that makes me feel like … I don’t even know what I’m trying to say.”

He kissed her cheek and handed her a Simstagram worthy meal. “You worry too much. It’s not that big a deal. Heh, I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna get cool glasses to match all my outfits just like my dad. I’m gonna be so fly!”

Skyla almost choked. “I’m glad Maya’s not around to hear you say that!”

“I couldn’t catch the words quickly enough to reel them back.”

“Oh, Maya.” Skyla sighed and poked at the beautiful meal. “I can’t believe she’s really doing it.”

Jonathan also sighed. “Yeah. Even though she’s rarely home these days, I think I’ll miss all the little things that remind me she still lives here.”

Everyone assumed Aubrey was his favorite for obvious reasons, but he and Maya had a special relationship too. It wasn’t as noticeable to the casual onlooker, but a special bond existed. Skyla loved seeing evidence of it. “Like what?”

The corners of his mouth peaked a little as his eyes traced the perimeter of the table. “Like … Walking by her room when she leaves the door open and smelling all those lotions and sprays she wears.”

A warmth in her heart spread throughout her body. Skyla’s first baby had always made her existence known in her own ways. “And singing in the shower.”

He chuckled. “Oh yes. The loud music.”

“Ugh. That music. I don’t think I’ll miss that at all.”

Jonathan gasped. “You do not serve Queen B, Mrs. Pruett? Slayer of stages and wig snatching or whatever Maya says?”

She shook her head. “It’s just so raunchy. Don’t you think?”

“Maya is a grown woman and can listen to whatever she wants. Did you know Bailey Kay plays multiple instruments and writes all her own songs?”

Skyla snorted. “Sounds like you serve the queen.”

“I meeeeean, I’m not not a fan.”

Jonathan had always been non-committal when Skyla opposed something the girls did. Maybe it was his way of politely disagreeing.

“Do you think Maya will be all right? I mean, I love how Ranveer cares for her, but he shouldn’t have to do everything. Do you think he knows how lazy she is?”

“Sky … They’re adults. And, Maya is literally almost an adult. They will work it out. It’s too late to worry about this now. Maybe …”

“Maybe what?”

“Nothing. Forget about it.”

“No, I want to know.”

“I’m not trying to say it’s your fault because she’s always been this way, but maybe a better time to worry would have been while you were cleaning a 20-something’s room. Now she’s a 30-something and still leaves her clothes on the floor.”

“I know. I think about it all the time, but I can’t help myself. You know I need a clean house. I’ve tried closing her door so I don’t see it, but just knowing there’s a mess drives me crazy!”

“You could have talked to her.”

“I needed something to do, Jonathan! You know I’m not good at being idle.”

“Ok, ok. I’m sorry. Like I said, it’s too late. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything. You’re a great mom. Maya is lucky to have someone pick up after her.”

“Now you’re being patronizing.”

“I’m not! I mean it. She’s had an easy, privileged life which is very weird to say considering how I grew up. But, all of us have to enter the real world at some point. Her arrival is just later than most. It’ll be hard at first, but she’ll find her way.”

“I sure hope so.”