I look down at his dark hair and wrap an arm around him. I don’t even know how to argue with that.
“Momma says my daddy is in heaven,” he says matter-of-factly and I shake my head.
Do kids ever stop talking? I don’t argue and tell him that I’m sure that his father has his very own place in hell.
“But maybe I’ll get another one some day? My momma got a new daddy. And so did my friend Luna. Her momma found her a new daddy and they got a puppy too.”
“She did, huh?”
“I don’t want a puppy though. I’m scared of dogs,” he insists.
“You are?” I look down at him. I’ve never known this kid afraid of anything. He is fearless like his mom.
“Yeah. A big one stole my ice cream in the park. Momma chased him away and the man told Momma he’d buy me a new ice cream.”
“Well, that was kind of him after his dog stole yours.”
“Uh-huh. And then he told Momma she was pretty and he asked if he could buy her some ice cream too,” he goes on and suddenly I am much more interested in who this jackass in the park was.
“And what did your mom say?”
“She told me not to eat too much ice cream before dinner,” he yawns as he snuggles against me.
“No, I mean…” I stop talking, aware that I’m trying to shake down a four-year-old boy for information on his mom’s dating habits. I’m only looking out for her, though, aren’t I? Yeah, right, Jax.
“You two look cozy,” Lucia’s voice startles me.
“You were quick,” I say as I turn to her.
“Yep.” She arches an eyebrow at me. “Those two wear themselves out so much they go out like a light as soon as they have a bath and are tucked up in bed.” She crouches down to Matthias. “Your turn, munchkin.”
He reaches up his arms and she takes him from my lap. “Night, Jax,” he mumbles sleepily.
“Night, buddy.”
“I won’t be long,” she smiles at me and I nod. I’ll be right here waiting for her even though I know I should leave.