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The next day, practice goes off without a hitch.  In fact, several problems seem to have been solved overnight.  When Mrs. O enters the auditorium, she discovers her script lying on the stool.  Just like she left it two days ago.  A while later, as Heath retrieves the costumes from their room, he unearths not two but three crowns.  It seems that the headpiece wasn’t truly missing after all.  Or someone returned it.  And today no sheep are wearing bowties. 

No one suffers any soda spills either.  Heath remains at my side for the entire afternoon.  And is – again – quite helpful. 

Heath finally removes his hood today.  For the first time, I get a good look at him.  It’s time for another double take.  How on earth did I not notice his resemblance to Hobi before?  He could be his younger brother!

“Heath?  Do you like to dance?”

He looks at me like I’ve just asked him whether he has two heads. 

“I guess not, huh?”

He shakes his head.

He’s definitely not Hobi.  Still, I catch myself studying his face again.  The similarity is eerie. 

Now I’m searching the crowd for Jimin’s doppelgänger.

But no one resembles the head of the maknae line.  I’m disappointed.  I’ve found lookalikes for everyone but Jimin and Jin at this point.  Perhaps I’ll meet twins later who resemble them both.  Hey, it could happen!  Twins seem to be attracted to me!

At the end of practice, I heave a huge sigh of relief.  We have finally reached the weekend.  I collect my younger boys as well as Noel and head for the high school.  Lyric has a basketball game tonight, and we’re going to attend it.  As soon as their musical practice is over, my older kids and Emmie will join us for the remainder of the game.

I glance back at the boys as they seat themselves in my van.  “Are you all starving now?”

A chorus of agreement meets my ears.

“Do you want to grab hot dogs and chips at the game?”

Excitement and bobbing heads now fill my vehicle as I pull out into traffic.  Soon enough, our van is parked in the high school lot, and the five of us are heading into the gym.  I smile as I read the game clock.  We’ve got ten minutes to spare before the game begins.  I get the two older boys settled on a bleacher before Alastair, Abner, and I head for the snack stand where I order six hot dogs, several bags of chips in assorted flavors, and six water bottles. 

Of course, there will be groaning in a few moments. An appeal for root beer is sure to come.  But tonight, we’re sticking to water.  With Christmas swiftly approaching, we are already surrounded by sweets.  This is a chance to balance all that sugar with a little good, old-fashioned water.  And the nutritious goodness of hot dogs and potato chips, of course.

I hand the twins the water bottles while I carry the trays loaded with hot dogs and chips.  We return to the gym just in time to greet my husband who’s seated himself next to Everett.  He glances at the water bottles and queries, “What?  No Mountain Dew?”

I snort.  He loves Mountain Dew.  At least as much as my boys love root beer.

“We’re fasting sugar tonight,” I inform him crisply.

“What?” he looks alarmed.

My lips quirk upward.  “At least, until after the game.  We’re headed home to a houseful of it.  I didn’t think we needed to pick up any here.  Besides, hot dogs and chips are hardly a healthy meal.”  I shove the tray of hot dogs at him before passing the chips out to the kids.

My husband gives me a lopsided grin.  “Hey, we’ve got all the important food groups here.”  He looks down at his hot dog covered in ketchup, mustard, and relish.

“Oh, yeah?” I ask skeptically.

“Meat.”  He points at the hot dog. 

I would hardly call that meat.

Then he gestures at his bag of chips before sliding his finger through his ketchup and relish as he murmurs, “Veggies.”  Tearing off a big piece of his bun, he takes a bite of his hot dog and mumbles around that mouthful, “Grains.”

“I see.  So, the only thing you’re missing is dairy,” I mutter wryly.

His eyes brighten as he teasingly asks me, “Do they have any ice cream at the concession stand?”

I chuckle.  “No.  And it’s a good thing.  Otherwise, you’d be four for four in the sugar department.”

“How so?”

“Hot dogs have added sugar.  That bun is nothing but refined flour and sugar.  And ketchup is full of it.  Don’t even get me started on the chips.”

He glances down at his meal.  “If this food is so bad for us, why didn’t you just stop at Chipotle on the way here?”

“Are you kidding me?” I ask.  “I’m thrilled to be able to feed you all with a minimum amount of effort tonight.  It’s been a long week.  And don’t despair, I’m sure we’ve got something to quiet your sweet tooth when we get home.”

He gives me a toothy grin.  The one that still makes me swoon. 

“Glad to hear it.”  He sinks his teeth into more of his dinner.

I glance up as the seniors are suddenly announced.  Lyric comes jogging out of the locker room.  Everyone is cheering.  He is clearly very popular.  I can completely see why.  He smiles at the crowd before slapping a fellow player on the back as he joins his buddies in the middle of the court.  A couple of minutes later, the game begins.  Everyone is entertained until half-time.

“Daddy, I’m still hungry,” Abner complains.

“Me too,” Alastair grumbles.

“Can we get nachos?” Everett queries.

I notice he’s not asking me.  He’s looking at his father, who glances up at me with a rueful grin on his face.  “Guess they know who’s going to say yes, huh?”  Then he smiles at them.  “Come on, guys.  Let’s go pick out some more food.”

“Hey!” I shout as they all stand up.  “Bring me back a soft pretzel, will you?”

I give in.  If you can’t beat them, join them.  Right?

I see the war against sugar has ended several minutes later when the little twins return with a package of Kit Kat.  Noel and Everett are primed to share a couple of Reese’s peanut butter cups.  My husband is carrying a huge tray of nachos, my pretzel, and a Heath bar.

His eyes catch mine.  “I got it for us to share.”

“Oh, thanks,” I murmur dryly.  “You know I can’t resist toffee.  And chocolate.  Any chocolatey toffee thing.”

I reach for the pretzel, rip off a piece, and dip it into the cheese sauce he ordered me.  I’m sitting on the bleachers with a ridiculous smile lighting up my face as I fill it with junk food.  I’m thoroughly enjoying tonight.  The only thing that would make it better is if Nana and Kookie were here. 

I glance towards the doors in time to see them juggling their dinners as they – with Emmie in tow – head our way.  The gang’s all here now.  And this mother couldn’t be any happier.  Especially when I fill my mouth with the sweetness of chocolate-covered toffee a few minutes later.  A gift from my gorgeous – and very sweet – husband.