Page 48 of Tides and Tidings

Blythe shrugged, “I think it’s worth a shot.”

That was all the encouragement I needed as I typed out a message to my mom.

Charlie: Is Wren still awake?

Mom: Maybe…

Mom: We’re watching a movie.

Charlie: Can we talk to her?

Mom: Are you drunk?

Charlie: No.

Mom: Then you can call.

The phone rang twice before my mom answered. “I’m assuming you don’t want to talk to me.”

“Not at this exact moment.”

I heard the phone shuffle hands. “Daddy?”

“Hi, Little Bird. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine. What do you need? I’m watching a movie with Grammy and Pops.”

Ouch, my kid doesn’t need me anymore.

“Birdie and I wanted to say good night to you.”

“Where’s Birdie? I want to see her.” Wren demanded with a raised eyebrow.

I switched to a video call so Wren could see her beloved Birdie.

I looked over at Blythe, “She wants to see you.”

Blythe lit up like the string of Christmas lights above us. She grabbed the phone out of my hand, “I’ll take that, thank you.”

“Birdie! I miss you!” Wren’s face popped up on the screen. Her hair was freshly washed, and her curls were everywhere.

“I miss you, too! Are you having fun?”

I let them have their chat before I popped my head around the phone. “Have you given Marshy extra love from us?”

Wren rolled her eyes, “Duh!”

She’s learning so much in school and picking up on new phrases. Watching her learn and grow over the last few months has been fun.

“Daddy, why do you look like that?”

I took a look at myself on the screen. My eyelids were slightly droopy, and my eyes were glassy. I can’t explain why to my kid.

“Oh, I’m just tired.” I lied.

“You and Birdie should go to sleep.”

“When are you going to sleep?” I counterposed.