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While my son organized the ingredients and got the bowl ready, I checked my phone for messages. I had Sasha promise she would tell me when Charlotte was heading this way. Since I didn’t have any texts, I assumed the coast was clear.
I shoved my phone into my pocket. “Okay, what’s first?”
“Flour.”
“And then?”
Henry pointed to the book. “Dad, the instructions are right here.”
“Yeah, but I like it when you tell me about it.”
He chuckled. “Charlotte was right. You can’t cook at all.”
My expression soured. “Now, wait asecond. I’ve cooked for you your whole life, kiddo!”
He chuckled while grabbing two eggs. In just a matter of days, Charlotte had turned my kid into a proper chef. The way he handled the ingredients and mixed everything together told me he had paid plenty of attention to her tutelage. It made me proud that they were my family.
I think an official family requires marriage, doesn’t it?
Soon enough, she would be right about that.
Watching my son mix the rest of the ingredients encouraged me that this was the best way to do it. Charlotte wasn’t the type of girl who liked the kneeling crap. She wanted to be impressed. And this was the best way to do it.
“Dad, did you preheat the stove?” Henry asked while pouring the batter carefully into a pan. “You’re supposed to preheat the stove to 350 degrees.”
I grinned handsomely. “Oops.”
“Now we have to wait.”
“Oh, because that’s so awful, isn’t it?”
I walked over to the stove and turned it on, smiling pointedly at him.
Then, I was all raw nerves and no confidence. I scrubbed the back of my head. “You sure she’s going to like this?”
Henry smiled warmly while wiping the edges of the pan with a towel. “I think she’s going to love it, Dad.”
“You’re just becoming a little chef over there, huh?”
“I like baking. It’s nice.” He wiped his hands on the towel and handed it to me. “It makes my brain feel better.”
I frowned sympathetically. “Sasha said she knows a good therapist for kids. We’ll get your head feeling better soon. I promise.”
“I know, Dad.”
In just a matter of seconds, his mood soured, making me feel like the worst father in the world. What good was I as a protector if I couldn’t keep him safe from his own thoughts?
“You okay, champ?” I asked softly. “It’s okay if you’re not.”
He shrugged. “I guess I’m not okay right now.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
I lifted him into my arms, keeping him tightly wound around my body. This kid had been through so much. Being okay was probably the last thing on his mind.
That’s why I want him to spend time with Charlotte, I thought.It’s good for both of them. They went through a traumatizing event together.
The oven beeped, indicating it was ready. Henry slithered out of my arms and grabbed the pan, carefully carrying it toward the oven. I opened the door for him and watched as he strategically placed the pan in the center.
