The other guy was younger looking and very slim. His name was Yu. He gave Wyatt a one armed hug and a kiss on the cheek. "That is him. He was in that picture Wyatt sent to brag and make us jealous," Yu said.
"Where was my picture?" Stan demanded.
"You said, 'shirtless of GTFO', so you got nothin'," Wyatt told him. Then he did introductions. "That's Stan. That's Yu. And yes, that's Sam. Now come meet my boys."
Sam could tell how much Wyatt liked showing off DJ and Riley, he was practically bursting with pride. And Stan and Yu were a hit with the boys. The guys talked over each other a lot and argued good-naturedly making DJ and Riley smile and Raquel roll her eyes. She was much quieter that they were, so of course they teased her while Wyatt came to her defense. Sam left them to it and went back to work.
Finishing up his shift a little late, Sam was ready to go with Wyatt to get the boys ready for the parade. Raquel stayed behind to have lunch with Stan and Yu.
The kids were changing into their costumes at the school, and that was also where the start of the parade route was. When they arrived at the classroom, which had been turned into a dressing room, they saw that screens had been set up and costumes were waiting. Some of the other kids were already wearing the round, peach costumes and beanies that made it look like leaves and stems were growing out of the tops of their heads.
Gloria was there too, and they all got to see her try to hug another girl while they were both wearing the peach costumes. Of course they both fell down.
Going over to her, Lara was signing, "Oh Gloria, what am I gonna do with you? Don't you remember this happened last year too?"
"I forgot, Momma," Gloria said as she got picked up and placed back on her feet.
Eventually, Sam and Wyatt managed to get the boys into their costumes as well and then snapped so many pictures. Sam and Wyatt put on green t-shirts with a peach in front and the words "a real peach" written on the back. Now they were ready to be spotters.
As they took part in the parade, Sam steeled himself. Feeling like the whole town was watching them, he was nervous, but only at first. Soon he realized, the adults were just a backdrop. The kids were the real stars.
Walking in a disorganized jumble, trying not to trip each other while looking everywhere except where they were going, the little peaches were a hit. Somehow, the boys didn't fall down even once. Everyone cheered as they passed, but Sam was sure that Wyatt's friends cheered the loudest.
They got to see the floats they painted go down Main Street. Seeing their handiwork on display, the boys were very excited. The peach blossom honey float had a guy in a bear costume holding a jar of honey and waving to the crowd. He was a favorite with the boys.
All the floats were piled high with mounds of flower decorations and flower sculptures. It was a true celebration of spring in bloom.
To cap off the celebration, a peach blossom princess was crowned. That's when they got to pop balloons and shoot off confetti. The day was crazy, but it was fun in the end.
Wyatt's friends had enjoyed it too. Afterward Stan's only complaint was, "Needs more shirtless hunks."
"Or any shirtless hunks," Yu pointed out.
Sam was glad he didn't have to explain that comment to DJ and Riley. Luckily they were out of their costumes and using the bathroom.
When they came out, they ran up to everyone.
"Did you see us? We didn't fall down," Riley bragged.
"Sure we saw you. You were great," Raquel told them.
"That's right we are so proud of you guys," Sam told them.
"I saw Mr. Jasper. He waved at us," DJ said.
"Everybody did. Everybody waved," Riley said, still full of a whole day's worth of excitement.
"Of course they did. You two were the best Styrofoam peaches out there," Wyatt told them and that made both boys smile. He then picked them up, one in each arm, and they giggled into his shoulder. It had been a wonderful day.
Chapter 35
Wyatt couldn't believe everything that went on only since that morning. What a day, and it wasn't over yet. That evening Wyatt had everyone over for a dinner party, but Sam was not allowed to help him cook.
He and the boys helped set up while Wyatt did a lot of cursing in the kitchen. Raquel, Yu and Stan arrived later and then Lara, Gloria and Noreen. That was almost everyone. Seeing who was missing as he came to greet the guests milling around in the living room, Wyatt asked Sam, "You did invite Rico, right?"
Sam took a moment then told him. "I wasn't sure you could handle it so..."
Wyatt groaned. "Oh come on." He knew Sam was teasing him, but then he got serious. He stared into Sam's beautiful, gray eyes solemnly and told him, "I can handle anything as long as you're here."
