It’s all about him and keeping him happy. I’m going to be around after school. Whatever he’s going through right now requires me to be officially on. I cannot screw this up. He needs me.”
“I can’t believe you did it.”
I put the next pancake on a plate and handed it to her. “I did it and I’m sure I’m going to freak out eventually, but not today. I’m going to enjoy today.”
“You know,” she said with a big smile, “it’s a half-day today. We could do something fun to celebrate.”
I’d totally spaced on the half-day. “That sounds amazing. I would love to. What are you thinking?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe the children’s museum or the zoo.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I love that I can do this in the middle of the week. The crowds will be much smaller.”
“Yep, welcome to the dark side of the unemployed.” She laughed.
“You’re not unemployed,” I said.
“No, but I only see a couple of clients a day,” she said.
“I’m just a little jealous you can make the living you do and only work a few hours a day,” I complained.
She flashed a smile. “I am lucky.”
“Let’s do it. Should I pick them up?”
“Yes, sounds good. It’s going to be fun having you around more,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited to make cookies and finally do some of those little jobs that have been piling up.”
She gave me a hug. “Congratulations. This is going to be good for you, I think. At least for a month or two.”
“I know. I’m going to figure something out, but I’ve told myself I’m not worried about any of that right now. I’m keeping my focus on him.”
“Good for you. Let me know if I can help with anything.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m going to be helping you. I’m going to be able to help out.”
“Relax a bit,” she said. “I don’t mind taking them to school.”
“Thank you,” I told her. “Really, thank you so much for all you do for me.”
She patted my shoulder. “I don’t mind.” She turned to the kids. “Let’s roll, guys. We’re going to have a fun day today.”
I gave Jace a hug. “I’ll see you after school. We’re going to go and do something fun this afternoon.”
He looked confused. “We are?”
“We are,” I said with a big smile. “Have fun.”
After they were gone, I spent some extra time cleaning up. I had my music playing and got into the housework. It was nice to know I had time to do it. I could get some of the deep cleaning done that had been neglected for a long time.
When it was time to pick up the kids, I was certain I was more excited than they were. We decided to go to the children’s museum, saving the zoo for another day. I was looking forward to lots of days just like this. I’d pick him up from school and we’d go do something fun.
“How come you’re not at work?” Jace asked as we walked past an electricity display.
“Because I’m taking some time off to be with you,” I told him.
“You are?”
I nodded, running my hand over his hair. “I am. How was your day?”
“It was all right,” he said with a sigh.
“I’m going to talk to your teacher and ask if I can volunteer in your class,” I told him.
“Okay.”
“How about we get some hot dogs?” Joss asked. “I’m starving.”
I followed them to the little food court area. “Mom never lets me have French fries,” Jace said.
“That is not true,” I said with a laugh. “We just had McDonald’s last week.”
“But not on a school day,” he argued.
He had a point. “But today is a special day,” I told him.
“Is it my birthday?” he asked with confusion.
“Nope. It’s just a special day. I get to hang out with you and that is very special to me.”
He took a bite of his fry before looking at me again. “Are you going to be home tomorrow after school?”
I nodded. “I am.”
He nodded as he took another bite. He looked happy. Like really happy. The kind of happy I had not seen in him in a long time. It made it all better. I would eat grilled cheese and ramen noodles if that was what it took to keep my little man happy.
We finished our lunch and headed for the sand tables that Jace loved. “This is fun, huh?” I said to Jace.