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“He wasn’t moving when he started at the daycare?” he asked. “What happened that you didn’t tell me?”
“Nothing,” she said, running her hand up and down his arm. “I told you he was fine shortly after you left. But like most kids in a new environment, they latch onto something. He held onto his blanket most of the day. He had his pacifier more than he does now. I had to hold him a few times because he was fussy.”
“Oh,” he said. He didn’t get those details and wasn’t sure how he felt about it. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s normal,” Liz said. “I know this is new to you. Zara told us how Max came about. But as a mother and someone who taught young kids and even helps out at the daycare, I can tell you it’s a common reaction with kids. If Zara was concerned I’m sure she would have told you. Sometimes parents don’t need to get worked up over the small stuff.”
“Is that true?” he asked. He was watching Max. His son was looking around but didn’t seem distressed. He was much more outgoing in new places and around new people than he was a month ago when he arrived.
“It is,” Zara said. “If you don’t mind, why don’t we put him on the floor and see what he does.”
Zara moved to the middle of the living room floor and set Max down, her getting down there with him and bringing over some of Willow’s old toys and one of Max’s.
His son took his toy out of Zara’s hand, but then reached for an older one of Willow’s with the other.
“It’s like we aren’t even here,” he said.
“Nope. But he’s going to hold onto his for a bit or keep it close and then he will forget about it.”
Thirty minutes later, his son had done exactly that. He hadn’t moved around much on the floor, staying in a small area where he could see his father or Zara, but playing quietly. His one toy by his side while he checked out new ones.
Liz was able to get down on the floor and interact with him for five minutes before she went to check on dinner too.
Zara got up to go help her mother, leaving Tony and Ren in the room alone with Max.
“Don’t mess her up again,” Tony said.
It sounded a little like what Zane had told him. “I have no intention of that. I’m not that young kid anymore.”
“Neither is she,” Tony said.
“I don’t have any intention of hurting Zara,” he said. “I can make promises, but we can’t control anything. Maybe I’ll be the one that gets hurt in the end. All I know is there is too much at stake this time.”
His eyes dropped down to Max who threw a toy at his foot. He picked it up and handed it back to his son.
“Your outlook changes in life when you’ve got kids,” Tony said.
“It does.”
“Remember that. Zara is my kid.”
You couldn’t get any clearer than that.
26
Falling Much Faster
“Max is getting to be a regular at this,” Zara said on Christmas Eve. She was closed this year since Christmas fell on Saturday. Her staff was entitled to paid holidays too, but they didn’t have many. She gave the parents a list of those days at the beginning of the year so everyone could plan.
Ren had the day off too and they’d spent it together at her house while she did some baking. Dinner tonight was more casual. Finger foods and buffet style. Lily would do more for the brunch tomorrow.
“Hopefully he’s as well behaved as he was at your parents a few nights ago. He warmed up faster than I thought he would.”
“He’s used to the bigger groups of people,” she said. “Not all kids adjust as well as him. It’s something to be thankful for, Ren. You’re doing a great job.”
“No,” he said. “You’re doing a great job. He’s more open now since we’ve been here.”
“I will admit that being at a daycare does open kids up more, but some still struggle with new people. Not every child does well in that kind of a setting.”
