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“You do what you need to. But remember to think about Frankie first.” I glanced up at the clock. “I need to get Dillon fed and in the tub. Wanna join us for dinner?”
“Za, za, za, za, za, za, za.” Dillon pulled a teddy bear larger than he was behind him. “za, da.”
“We’re ordering pizza.” I laughed and picked up my son. “It’s one of his favorites.”
“Yeah, I’d like to stay.”
Henry
Two years later
I groaned, rolling over in my bed. It sounded like a party was happening in my backyard, complete with a car honking.
Letting out a sigh, I pulled my pillow over my head, trying to block the noise out. Ever since Ethan moved out, I stayed up later than I planned, playing games online, knowing I would drag my ass in the morning.
Hello consequences of my poor choice.
In some ways, I missed having a friend here to toss back a few brews with. In others, I was glad to have the house back to me and Dillon again.
Dillon missed having Frankie around.
“Dad!” He yelled, while his little feet pounded the hardwood floor. “There’s big birds in our yard!”
“Dillon.” My voice rasped with sleep. “Please stop yelling.”
Memories kicked my ass last night after a talk with my mother.
“I don’t understand why you act the way you do, Henry. You’re so smart, but sometimes you do the dumbest things.”How many times had I heard that growing up? Too many to count, that’s for sure.
And maybe I drank one too many beers while I played my game too.
“Video games? Really Henry. Those are for children who have no brain. Not for intelligent young men who can be anything they want in life.”
It’s not something I made a habit of, and while I could do keggers all night long in high school and before Dillon came along. Nowadays a six-pack was enough to knock me on my ass.
“I’m gonna pet them!”
Fine. Go pet them.
The pounding feet continued down the stairs, and my eyes flew open. “Dillon! Wait!”
My son was curious and daring. I’d bet he’d try to pet an alligator if it wouldn’t bite him.
And yet another thing my mother liked to poke at me about.
“You need to set a good example for him, Henry. Do you think sitting around playing video games will do that?”
Bare feet, boxer shorts and morning wood standing proud, I ran after my son.
I’m not awake enough for this shit.
I missed the last step, launching myself into the wall headfirst. Shaking it off, I rounded the banister, still hoping to catch him.
“Here birdie, birdie, birdie!” He ran towards them, little hands outstretched.
“Dillon!” My chest heaved as I tried breathing. “Those are geese!”
What the fuck is a gaggle of geese doing in my yard?
