Today’s my day off and I’m going to do something for them, even if it’s as small as making breakfast. I want to do this for them. I turn my phone on and cue up some music but keep it low, as I set about starting French toast and bacon that I found in the fridge.
Then I start coffee, it really is nectar of the god’s.
The griddle is sizzling, with the first batch of toast, and I take the first sip of coffee. My eyes are closed and I’m leaning against the counter when I hear, “I could get used to seeing this view every day.”
I yelp and almost drop my coffee cup, but save it at the last minute, “You scared the crap out of me.”
“I woke up and thought you left, until I smelled cinnamon and coffee wafting in the air. I didn’t like thinking you would leave or waking up without you tucked into me,” Dylan says, as he takes my coffee out of my hand and sets it on the counter.
“Good morning,” I mumble out, trying to figure out what Dylan is doing. He moves in closer to me and then he has me in his arms and we’re swaying to the subtle music that’s playing in the background.
“Morning, honey,” he murmurs into my hair and we dance. The two of us, with the sun slowly creeping up in the skyline. We only stop to flip the bacon and French toast.
“I wanna dance,” we both look over as Johnny is coming into the kitchen. He’s dragging his blanket and stuffed animal with him. We make room for him, as Dylan lifts him up in his arms and we all dance until our breakfast is ready and we need to get our day started.
17
Dylan
We parted ways Monday. It sucked. Candy slipped into the clothes she wore the day before, wrinkling her nose as she did. I should have at least offered to wash them last night before I got in the shower with her, but my mind was on other things. Namely, her and only her.
Now, it’s once again Friday and both of us have been busy with work, her with Halloween that’s coming up on Saturday and me with not only work, but also Johnny. Because of that, our only way to see each other is through FaceTime. Johnny wasn’t impressed, but I could see how tired Candy was every night this week. I wasn’t going to put something else on her plate, even when it killed me not to stop by her shop and to just say hello. If I did that, I knew I wouldn’t be content, and I’d want her at home with us.
Johnny is pouting. We usually stop at Candy’s every Friday night, but since tomorrow is Halloween, I told him we’d be taking a break this week.
“But, I want to go see Candy,” he says, stomping off as we get home.
“Me too, buddy. Me freaking too,” I grouse.
We usually do pizza, but with Johnny in a mood and let’s face it, mine isn’t much better, we picked up burgers and fries from the diner by his school.
“You want to eat? The faster we get everything done and the earlier we go to sleep, the faster tomorrow will come,” I try to persuade him.
“If I have to. It’s just not the same without seeing Ms. Candy on Friday’s,” he pouts.
“I know, buddy, but she has a lot going on this week. The good news is we have Fall break next week and she has Sunday and Monday off. We’ll get to see her for two days straight,” I bargain.
“I guess we’ll do things your way, Dad. I’d much rather go to her shop, though.”
“It stinks, but we’ll see her soon,” I respond, as I take food out of the containers. I go grab Johnny a juice and beer out of the fridge for me, along with ketchup for Johnny’s food. The boy lives off ketchup when it comes to fries, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and even chicken nuggets.
The doorbell ringing interrupts us from starting our dinner.
“I’ll get it!” Johnny is already off his bar stool and flying to the front door.
“Don’t answer the door until I’m there,” I tell him. He’d open the door to anyone, regardless of who it is.
“Okay, let me look and see who it is,” I look through the peephole and a huge grin settles over my face.
“Go ahead and open it, Johnny. I think you’ll like this surprise,” I tell him.
“Really?” he questions and then he’s unlocking the top lock and opening the door.
He squeals as he runs to Candy. She opens her arms immediately and picks him up, the two of them hugging. It’s so natural looking. It hits that spot deep in my heart.
“I hope this is okay,” she says, after hugging Johnny and giving him all the attention he needed. He even held her cheeks as he spoke, so she would only look at him. That boy, he’s so much like me when it comes to Candy.