5
Damon
“All right, little one. What's for breakfast today?” I ask.
Cooking has been our system of bonding since the first night. We both seem to enjoy it and sharing my passion with someone makes it that much more enjoyable. Who knows? Maybe Emily will grow up to be a famous chef one day because of our time together.
“Hmm... Mommy likes omelets... with bacon in them... Can we make that? Like a surprise?”
“You got it!” I hold out my hand. “Let's get started. I’m surprised she’s not up already.”
But I’m not. She didn’t go to sleep until after three in the morning and is probably dead to the world right now. Unlike her, I can’t sleep when someone is moving around.
Emily gets the eggs and bacon out of the fridge. Since Tessa’s still asleep, I let her help as much as she can without burning herself. She cracks the eggs, and I secretly fish out the minor fragments of shell when her attention shifts elsewhere. No need to spoil her excitement.
“Mommy is going to be surprised.”
“Surprised about what, sweetie?” Tessa asks, pausing in the corridor to the kitchen in her pajamas, her hair everywhere.
These are things I enjoy, getting to know her on a different level. I get to see her at some vulnerable moments, like when she first gets up, no makeup or anything done to her hair. The real Tessa.
“It’s about time you got up. We made a special breakfast just for you. Take a seat at the table.”
Emily laughs as Tessa walks by pretending to sneak a peek. “No peeking, you cheater.”
We conduct some last touches, adding cheese before closing the omelets and administering them on plates. “I think she’s going to love these. Good thinking, Em.”
Tessa’s eyes are closed, awaiting the unveiling. “Oh, my. I wonder what it could be.”
“One of your favorites.” Emily giggles.
A mug of coffee transpires in front of her. “And I notice how you like your coffee. Two creams and a spoonful of sugar. Drink up.”
An ordinary day off for me consists of tidying the house, watching TV, and being deep in my thoughts. With them here, I won’t be doing that. Why should we stay inside this house when we can go out and enjoy some fresh air? Emily has a love for animals and this could be a great trip if Tessa agrees.
“I was thinking maybe we could take Emily to the zoo. Get out of the house for a little while.”
An outing will provide an easier way to get to know them better while we have some fun. My brothers aren’t exactly biting at the bit to hang out with me, and it’s no fun doing things like this by yourself. Emily has never been to a zoo before, and today is the perfect opportunity with it being a high of sixty-seven. I still treasure our family trips to the Dallas Zoo to this day.
“Can we, Mama?”
“That sounds great, actually,” Tessa replies.
A smile resides on my face, thanking my lucky stars she agrees.
We all exit the dining room to get dressed for our joint adventure. I quickly throw on some jeans and a t-shirt and head to the living room. They are already waiting for me. We pile up in the car and begin our journey to Dallas. It’s a thirty-minute drive from the house if we don’t get caught in bad traffic. When Emily’s eyes spot the big Dallas Zoo sign, a gleam appears from sheer excitement.
“Oh my gosh. We are here. Thank you, Mama.”
Tessa turns to me. “I really appreciate this. You’ve done so much for us. I don’t know how I will ever repay you for your kindness.”
Why did she feel the need to? I like having someone to do things with...
The things we have in common make it easier to open up to her. The fact her father was also a firefighter, and both of ours passed under the same circumstances, connect us on that level. She’s a single mother, and my mother was for a couple years after my father passed. I might not know firsthand the struggle she faces, but I can understand from a child’s perspective.
Tessa needs someone supportive on her side, and it can be me. Raising a child by yourself is hard, and not having anyone to turn to is even worse. With her mom living all the way out in Oregon, she has one.
Emily gets out of the car and snags my hand. “I wonder what animals they have here. Monkeys? Tigers? Sharks?”