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“You fuckin’ better. Let me check on Cam Cam.”
Sky nodded as I pulled myself from the couch and prepared to see the same disappointment on Cam’s face. When I reached her room, I knocked on the door before opening it, and sure enough, she was lying face down on the bed in the dark.
“You’re going to suffocate lying like that,” I joked, tickling her side.
“I’m sad!” Her dramatic rebuttal almost made me break character.
I tapped Cam’s shoulder, but she didn’t sit up. Instead, she wiggled her shoulder, so I scooped her in my arms because I didn’t care about her attitude.
“You got beef with me or something?”
She frantically shook her head with her lip poked out.
“Then wassup? Why are you treating me like a banana, Laffey Taffy?” I asked, brushing her tears with my knuckle. Laffey Taffy’s were her favorite, every flavor except banana.
“Daddy isn’t coming. Mommy said something came up, and he couldn’t make it,” Cam repeated Sky’s half-truth. Marcus didn’t deserve protection, but she did it for Cam’s sake.
“I’m sorry, kid.”
“I wanted to make a new bear and pick out clothes.”
“You know what makes me feel better when I’m sad?” Cam twisted in my arms and looked up at me. “Ice cream.”
“But I didn’t eat dinner yet. Mommy won’t let me have ice cream.”
“You let me worry about Mommy. Stop crying because princesses don’t cry over people not showing up because I always will. Got it?”
She thought about it briefly, then placed her knuckles against mine and wiggled her fingers. Our signature handshake sealed the deal.
“Got it.”
“Good, go in the bathroom and wash your face,” I said, lifting her from my lap and planting her feet on the plush carpet.
“Can I wear my Princess dress?”
“You can wear whatever you want.”
Cam took my words to heart, piecing together an ensemble that Sky would never let her wear outside these walls. It consisted of a princess dress paired with silver cowboy boots and a tiara on her head.
“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?” Sky asked with raised brows.
Sky didn’t play that Cam going out looking any kind of way stuff. Once, I took Cam out, and her hair wasn’t up to Sky’s standard, and she let me have it. I got her point, but she was a kid. How was I supposed to tell her no?
Cam looked at me wearing the I told you so face, waiting for me to handle it like I said I would.
“We’re heading to a castle for a few. We’ll be back.”
“A castle. Really Mack.”
“Duh, where else would she be going?”
Sky wanted to call bullshit, but she looked over at Cam’s smile and let her win. Her face brightened as we walked out the door and headed to the local ice cream parlor. The jingling bells welcomed us, and the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones filled the air. Cam’s eyes widened with delight as she surveyed the colorful flavors.
I let her choose her favorite, and soon enough, we found ourselves sitting on a bench outside, sharing laughter and sweet treats. With each giggle, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be the one to wipe away the disappointment, offering her a scoop of joy when Marcus had let her down.
“Are you still sad?” I asked, peeking at her through the rearview mirror.
“A little, but you made it better. You always make it better.”
