“Sometimes I add cheese to his food, even though it makes him toot a lot.”
A smile breaks out on Gabe’s face. “Really?”
I nod, keeping my expression serious. “So many toots. He toots himself awake at night when he’s dreaming.”
Gabe giggles. “Can I feed him some cheese?”
I glance toward Lex. “Well, just like Winston, your mom loves you very much and wants to make sure your body has enough nutrients so you can be healthy. So maybe when you’ve eaten as much food as your mom thinks is good for you, you can help me put some cheese on Winston’s dinner. But!” I raise a finger, Gabe’s attention rapt. “When he’s all stinky later you still have to snuggle him. Deal?” I reach a hand across the countertop.
Gabe’s left hand grabs mine and he gives it a loose shake. “Deal.” After that, Gabe does his best to eat his food, despite me having cooked everything wrong.
Lex looks across from me and mouths,thank you.
I give her a wink. “So, Gabe! Your mom tells me you’re in a school play.The Sound of Music, right? What part do you have?” I remember who he’s playing from when Lex told me, but I want to give him a chance to talk about it.
Gabe glances at me, then brings his eyes back to his plate, not answering.
“Gabriel,” Lex says sternly. “An adult asked you a question.”
With effort, he sits up taller and looks into my eyes. “Kurt.”
I nod, impressed. “That’s a big role for a kid your age! You must be really driven to get a part like that. Do you want to be an actor when you grow up?” I’m not sure if you’re supposed to ask kids that anymore, but I have limited experience with children.
Gabe returns his gaze to his barely touched noodles, nodding.
“He wants to be a triple threat.” Lex beams with pride. “He’s taking dance lessons, singing lessons, and is learning the piano, too.”
“That’s awesome!” This kid has a better grasp on his life than most adults I know. “Now we just have to work on your makeup skills. Your mom said I can help you after dinner, if you want.”
Gabe’s eyes light up. “Really?”
I nod. “I have lots of makeup. If you want, and your mom’s okay with it, you can take some home.”
Gabe grabs his mom’s arm. “Can I?”
Lex pretends to sigh as she considers the question, though she can’t hide her dimples. “Fine. But only if you work really hard to eat dinner.”
Gabe truly does his best to eat. After Lex is satisfied that he’s got a few bites in his belly we let him go feed Winston, dutifully shredding cheese on top of his kibble even though I totally lied and that dog has never turned down a meal in hislife. Afterwards, I show Gabe how to hide Winston’s pill in yet another bit of cheese. I hope his poor tummy doesn’t get all backed up, or worse.
After Lex and I finish our meals, we stack the dishes next to the sink and take the boys on a walk. Winston and Gabe lead the way while Lex and I trail behind.
“Sorry about him not eating,” Lex says quietly so just the two of us can hear. “I should have warned you. He has some food sensitivities.”
I shrug. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t take it personally.”
The line between Lex’s brows relaxes. “Thank you.”
“He’s a really cool kid.”
Lex looks at her child, then up to me. “You think so?”
“Absolutely.”
She bites her lip, looking back at him. “I worry about him.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Because he likes makeup?”
“That, plus most boys his age aren’t memorizingThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, or bedazzling their Crocs with sequins, or begging their parents to paint their bedroom pink. I had such a hard time at school and I struggled to make friends. Eventually I had to hide who I was just to stop all the bullying.”
