Daddy's head jerks up. "He's already got our mom as a mother figure. Are you saying she's not—"
"Not the same, and you know it."
They stare at each other for a long time and don’t say anything.
"You're right. You're right." Daddy hangs his head and grips my thin arms. "No, Amos. Momma wouldn't be mad at you at all for wanting someone to love you as much as she did. In fact, she'd probably be mad atmefor taking so long."
I smile at the nostalgia the memories dredge up. After that day, I went on a drawing frenzy and soon our refrigerator was covered in my stick-figure pictures depicting the momma I didn't have yet but was hoping for.
Then a few weeks later, Dad told me I was going to spend some time with my Uncle Oliver because he had a big surprise for me and it was going to take a while to bring it back. I was so excited but nervous, too, because I didn't like to do sleepovers away from my dad. With my childish fears, I was scared he'd go away and leave me, too. Just like my mom.
That summer had my little stomach churning in knots every day. Some nights, I'd get to talk to him for a little bit when he called from a pay phone. Each time, I'd ask him when he was coming back and if my surprise was ready. Every time, his reply was, "Soon, and almost. Keep waiting."
The weeks flew by and one afternoon I saw my dad's truck coming up the long driveway while I was chasing bees in a grassy field of flowers. Typical boy, I'd quickly learned the hard way which kinds were harmless and which kinds would sting.
"Daddy! Look how long my legs got!" I yell out to him as I run beside the truck, determined to beat him to the front porch of Uncle Oliver’s house. My uncle said I grew two inches taller this summer, so I know my legs are longer. That means I'm faster, too. I'm laughing my head off and spinning around in circles by the time he comes to a stop.
"I missed you so much!" I try and open his door for him.
"Hold on, Amos. Let me get out, little bit." Finally, my dad's arms wrap around me. I squeeze him so tight, so happy that he's back. He went away just like Momma, but he came back!
"Where were you, Daddy? You were goneforever!" My words are muffled against his shirt.
He pushes me back to look at me. "Remember your surprise?"
My surprise! I'd forgotten. "Yeah! Where is it? Iwannasee it. Is it in the truck?"
"Sure is. Come on, let’s take a look." We walk around to the other side of the truck. I can barely keep myself from running, but I know Daddy wants to be the one to show me. As we round the front, I think I see something inside.
"Is it a puppy?"
"No, not a puppy." Daddy opens the passenger door and reaches inside. "Come on, Corina. Don't be shy."
Corina. That's a pretty name. Peeking under the door because I'm tall but not tall enough to see through the window, I freeze as I see a foot with light pink toenails step to the ground.
My dad's strong hands grip a lady's waist and help her all the way down before closing the door. I'mgonnabe as strong as him one day, but not yet—whoa. My jaw drops in awe as I stare at themost prettiestlady I've ever seen. "Geez Louise, Daddy! Who...who's she?"
Daddy's hugging her close like he hugs me sometimes and he's holding her hand, too, his fingers all twisted up with hers. "This is your surprise, Amos. I got married and brought you back a momma." He smiles down at her and kisses her cheek. "This is my son Amos. Amos, this is Corina. Your new momma."
My momma.I burrow between them and give her the biggest hug I've ever given anyone. Even bigger than the ones I give my dad. She's stiff, though. I tip my head back to see her better. "Why aren't you hugging me, Momma? Don’t…don’t you like me? I'm a good boy, I really am." My voice wobbles. I want her so much to like me.
"I..." Lips turned downward, her voice is sweet and quiet as she looks between me and my dad. Just how my teacher at school is always wanting me to sound. A good inside voice. Not so much for outside because I can't hear her very good.
"Go on, Corina. Give him a hug," Daddy urges her.
Slowly, a soft arm presses me against an even softer body and ahand brushesthrough my dark hair. I bury my nose into her shirt and inhale, squeezing her so tight. "Momma, you smellsooogood! Thank you for my surprise, Daddy. She’s just what I've always wanted!"
"It's the three of us from now on. You, your momma, and me."
"And she's notgonnago away and leave us alone?"
"No, son. I promiseyou,she's not going anywhere."
My new momma’s belly shakes. I look up to see tears leaking from her eyes. "Why’s shecryin'? Is she hurt?" I don’t want her to get sick like my other momma, even if Daddy says she isn’t ever leaving.
Daddy tucks some hair behind her ear and cups her chin, kissing her right on the lips even though her tears are all over them. Yuck. Grownups do gross things. "I think she's crying because she loves you so much already and is so happy that we’re a family now. Isn’t that right, Corina?"
Evenmoretears run down my new momma’s face. Happy tears. I get those sometimes, especially when I get presents. Yeah, that must be it. I'm happy, too! I can’t believe she belongs to me and Daddy. "I love you, too, Momma. More than…more than all the bees I caught today! I can’t believe you found me a momma. How’d you find such a pretty one, Daddy?"
