I give a hesitant smile.
“Unco Ay-ben, can we have some paw-corn for the movie? We have two more Piderman ones to watch. You should watch them with us Car-ee.”
“Got no popcorn, pal,” Aiden says. “Wanna go to the store and get some junk food? I’ll pause the movie.”
“Car-ee wanna come to the store?” the little guy asks.
“No thanks, sweetie. I’m kind of busy. But, if your Uncle Aiden says it’s okay, I have some cupcakes in my room. They’re really good. I could send one out for you for your movie, then you don’t have to go all the way to the store.”
“It’s alright. We’ll go to the store,” Aiden says, not making eye contact.
“No,” Braeden replies. “I want cupcakes.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward my bedroom.
“Only if your uncle says it’s okay.”
“Braed’s the boss,” Aiden says.
Braeden looks up at me. “I the boss.”
I giggle and let him lead me into my room.
I grab the tote of cupcakes to show him, and he claps his hands.
“Those look nummy. I gots appo juice boxes and milk juice boxes in the fidge from my nap pack.”
This little boy is absolutely adorable. I let him lead me, me carrying the cupcakes, back to the kitchen.
I get a plate out of the cupboard and put one on it for him.
“Unco Ay-ben, too,” Braeden requests.
“It’s okay, pal. I’m not hungry.”
“But, they look so nummy. You have to twy it.” He puts his hands on his hips and glares at Aiden as if to say he has to try the spinach or broccoli on the plate.
“Alright, you’re the boss.” Aiden’s eyes are on Spiderman and Maryjane in a clinch.
“I the boss,” Braeden announces.
I hand him a plate and he carefully takes it to Aiden and then comes back for his own. I bring him a milk juice box to the coffee table.
“I wanted appo.” he scrunches his face.
“Apple’s good,” I say, “If you really want it, I’ll swap, but milk was meant to go with cupcakes.”
“Weally?”
I nod. “It tastes oh so good that way. It makes the milk almost like a milkshake. And milk is going to make you big and strong.”
“I’m gonna be big with musoes like my uncos. Daddy doesn’t got big musoes. Only little ones. But my uncos got big musoes. Have you seen them?”
I nod. “Uh, yeah. Anyway, enjoy that cupcake and your movie. I gotta---”
“Watch too.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got a couple things to do. Enjoy your movie.”
He makes a little pouty face.