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“You did it!” His little hand smacks mine in a high-five.
“I did it!” he screeches and claps his hands.
“Now, let’s go to the store.”
Five little warm fingers wrap around two of mine. I lead him to my Jeep and click the buckle into place.
“What we doing?”
A glance in the rear-view reveals him watching the scenery pass by his window. Overcome with a sudden yawn, he stuffs a fist into his mouth. The move reminds me I’m now responsible for his order and routine, something Nora left out in her haste to leave. So far, he’s taken the adjustment in strides.
“We’re going to get a present for my friend.”
“What friend?” He watches me intently now as I check on him again.
“Her name is Evie.”
“Ebie?”
If he calls her that in front of her, she’s going to melt into a puddle. “Do you remember Evie? She played trucks with you.”
“Ebie play fwucks wif me?”
“How about we buy you a new truck, and you can ask her?”
“Okay.” He reaches for the chest buckle as I put the Jeep into park.
“Hold on there, bub. Wait for me.”
Tommy points his tongue out of the side of his mouth while he struggles with the buckle. Once he figures out the mechanism, I’m in trouble. Unsnapping the top and bottom straps, I step back for him to climb out of the car. I take his hand, and together, we walk into the department store in order to buy our Ebie some presents.
Hours later, after some shopping, a nap for the both of us, and a stop for a meal, Tommy and I anticipate Evie’s arrival in the convenience store parking lot. The little man holds a toy truck under one arm with a look of pride on his little face, his other hand clutched in mine. He chose the red fire engine himself with no arguments from me.
The familiar car races into the lot, coming to a halt in her usual spot. Knowing she intends to sleep here alone sends a dagger into my chest. One that twists every time I fail to convince her of another option.
“Hey,” she greets in a cautious tone, stepping out with her dog. “What are you guys doing here?”
Tommy frees his hand from mine and thrusts his toy at arm’s length.
“Did you get a new toy?” Evie drops to a crouch. The new position tempts Tommy forward.
“Ebie play fwucks wif me?” He repeats his earlier question without any prompting from me. I’d say my little man is as taken with this woman as I am. Not that I can blame him. She radiates an inviting personality with ease.
“Of course I’ll play with you.” Evie holds out her hand, and Tommy latches on immediately. I relieve her of the leash as we stroll toward the open field.
“You have to know using your son to win me over is a dirty move.” Her scowl falls short of convincing.
“That was one-hundred-percent him. I swear.”
“He called me Ebie.” Her voice drops into a whisper nearly disguised by the swish of tall grass around our ankles. “That has to be the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I swell with pride and want to bang fists on my chest. My little man scores us a win.
Tommy stops at a random location. The level ground looks as good as any to spread a blanket and relax. Evie and I each settle on a hip, Ghost relaxes at my side with an exaggerated huff, and Tommy immediately starts driving his new truck around our space. Every few minutes, he sets it in front of Evie and waits patiently for her to give the truck a spin before taking it back.
“I brought dinner if you’re hungry.”
A soft smile lingers on her lips, though at my question, it drops.
