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They talked softly while I got out and dried off, unpinning my hair from the bun I put it into to keep from getting wet. I threw on my pajama pants and the T-shirt I had stolen from Seth. Or at least one of them. At this point, I definitely had one for every day of the week, and yet still he seemed to have more and more in his closet.
I loved these shirts. This particular black T-shirt read ‘I may be wrong, but it’s highly unlikely.’ It was one of my favorites.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, there was a squeal and laughter. I came out in time to see Cal bouncing on the bed and Toby standing at the edge with a big shit eating grin on his face.
“You shouldn’t throw him around,” I said.
“Cadie, watch a movie with me,” Cal said, patting the space next to him.
I smiled. “Sure, little man. Have you figured out what you’re going to watch yet?”
“We want scary,” Toby called out.
“I want superheroes,” Cal admitted.
“Just nothing sad,” I said, stretching out next to Cal on the bed.
Cal snuggled in next to me, his warmth keeping me company as Justin finally settled on an action-packed movie.
“Cadie,” Cal whispered.
I leaned down so I could better hear him as the movie started off quickly with a car chase. “Yeah?”
“I heard about the concert. At the place Paxon sometimes takes me.”
I was surprised by this. “You go to the recreational center?”
“Only sometimes, when they hold special events. Sometimes birthday parties.”
That made sense. Members who utilized the center had more opportunities to use the space for special occasions and with the acknowledgment that kids there could participate too. It was great for kids who didn’t necessarily have the space or support to throw a party. The center even provided some assistance, like with decorations.
“I want to sing too.”
“Really?” My already raised eyebrows went higher. Cal was impressing me more and more. “Are you going to play the guitar also?”
He ducked his head down and in a lower voice that I almost didn’t hear, he said, “I don’t think I’m good enough. I keep messing up with the songs you gave me.”
I shifted so I was more turned to him, no longer caring about the movie. Movies were hard for me anyway. I needed distractions and movies made it all too easy to get lost in my head instead.
“If anyone expects perfection from you, then they’re idiots. Concerts show off skills sure, but they also show off how far you came in the things you love the most. You’ll mess up, but you’ll also be able to show them your progress. You started off as someone who couldn’t even read music sheets or how to use a guitar and now you’re someone capable of playing a song and sharing your love for it.”
“But I can’t do both. I want to sing.”
I grabbed his small hands. “You can do both. I do both. And if I could, I’d even play the piano at the same time.”
That got a giggle out of him. “How would you do that?”
“Hmm.” I pointed to my mouth. “I sing from here.”
That made him laugh a little louder, but he covered his mouth, trying to hold back. I had to suppress my own laughter.
I wiggled my fingers. “Guitar with these stubby babies.”
A snort came out of him, his body shaking.
“And I’d use my feet for the piano.” I kicked the bed with my toes.
He broke out in loud laughter, no longer able to help.
