Page 59 of Schooling Little Sage

Devon opened the lion I got him at Calla’s shop and hugged it. “Did you make this?”

“Nope, Calla did. We’ll take you to her shop too.” I wish Devon lived with us so he could see all the neat places Daddy took me to. Plus, I missed him really bad when he wasn’t with us.

“An Olaf stuffie!” Devon squealed. “I don’t have this one. Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, sweet boy.”

“Squishmallows!” We both yelled, opening them at the same time.

“Mine’s a Mikey turtle.”

“Mine’s a snowman. Snowmen are my favorite holiday decorations,” Devon said.

“A little birdie told me how much you loved a certain snowman.” Daddy winked at me.

“I’m the birdie. Surprise, Devon!”

We both got matching Santa jammies, more socks, and lots of toys. Daddy, err, Santa, really spoiled us this year.

“Boys, how did you get this picture of the three of us framed so fast?”

Devon and I giggled. “I bought the frame and had it sent here, then as soon as we got home from the choco factory, Devon printed it on his printer and put it in.”

“You two have no idea how much this means to your Daddy.”

We made Daddy happy-happy.

“Best Daddy coffee mug and a new wallet.”

“Open it,” Devon said.

The booklet of silly coupons we made fell out. “I’m guessing this is what you two were giggling about the other night.”

“Yuppers.”

“I love all the pictures you put in here. Now I always have my boys with me.”

We’d taken so many of ourselves making funny faces, kissy faces and just smiling. Devon printed them in the right size and filled it up.

“And a blanket of my own with a Daddy poem on it. Boys, these are the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. Thank you.” Daddy got all teary eyes. “Seriously.”

“We love you, Daddy,” I said without thinking.

“What he said,” Devon agreed.

Whew, at least my no-filter brain didn’t mess up that time.

“I love you boys too. Merry Christmas.” Big hugs all around, even bigger when we tackled Daddy this time and let our tickle monsters loose on him.

“Alright, you two. This Daddy needs to feed his hungry boys. Why don’t you put on the Christmas parade and play while I cook?”

“’kay, Daddy.” I set up the coloring books while Devon found the channel. Everything just felt right when the three of us were together. Too bad we couldn’t make it that way forever.

“Do you just eat in the living room by yourself all the time?” I don’t know what made me ask Devon that, but he didn’t have a dining room table. His life just felt so lonely to me, and I know what being lonely was like and it sucks.

“Pretty much. Sometimes I stand by the sink and have a quick bowl of cereal.”

“Can you come visit us soon?” I didn’t like this at all, leaving Devon alone. It didn’t feel right.