Page 63 of Schooling Little Sage

“It’s a traveling coloring desk kit. Inside it holds crayons, pencils, paper, whatever you want, but the case opens up into a portable desk you can use.”

“Daddy, can you open it?”

“I can but we’ve got Christmas presents to open next. Why don’t you give Mom and Dad their presents from us.”

“’kay.” Sage handed everything out, including what was for us and what we bought them in California. Not really presents but traveling trinkets and such.

“Thank you, boys. Sage, let’s see what Santa left you here.”

“How did he know I was coming?”

Dad tapped the side of his nose. “Santa knows everything.”

“This is a big box.” Sage ripped the paper off then the strip of packing tape. “What is it?” All he could see was white.

“Pull the Styrofoam out, silly boy.” Chunks were coming off, making the room a static nightmare. “Here, let Daddy help you.” I removed the top piece and handed it back.

“It’s a Ninja Turtle lamp! Thanks Mom and Dad, this is so cool.”

“Sage,” Dad leaned over, peeking beneath the tree. “I think Santa left one more big one back there for you.”

Sage crawled across the floor, carefully dipping beneath the tree and pulled it out. “Whoa, this one is even bigger and its squishy.”

He tore the paper off. Mom must’ve used an entire roll on that one gift.

“Daddy! Daddy! It’s a Ninja Turtle bean bag chair. How did Santa know I asked for one?”

“I sent him your list.”

In the end, he had another Squishmallow with the red turtle on it. I believe his name is Raphael, a couple of puzzles and more coloring books. I got some new flannels, Mom complained about my comfy holey ones. Typical mom stuff and a couple dress shirts. The rest of the evening went well. We sang Happy Birthday to a very happy boy and had cake. Sage switched between playing with JoJo and his new toys until it was time to call it a night. I owed my parents big time for this. They knew exactly how to turn my boy’s frown upside down.

Sage colored and chatted about his new stuff on the drive home. I welcomed the less depressing stage, though as soon as we pulled into our parking space, that changed. Hopefully, the surprise waiting inside would bring my happy boy back.

“Surprise!” Dempsey sang as we stepped inside.

“Welcome home,” Burke added.

“What are you doing here?” Sage ran over and hugged him. “I brought you stuff back from our trip.”

“You brought me prezzies?” Dempsey could barely contain himself.

“Yup and a couple Christmas prezzies too.”

Whew, plan worked and Sage was smiling again.

“Daddy, which suitcase are they in?”

“Well, his Christmas presents are under the tree. Why don’t you give him those while I dig out the travel goodies.”

“’kay. Thanks, Daddy.”

“The room is set up,” Burke whispered while the chatty boys did their thing.

“Thank you for that, I owe you big time.”

“You owe me nothing. I know you’d do the same for me.”

“Very true, my friend.”