about these little interruptions.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
English
As much as I adored my daughter, her timing was terrible. “Easton!”
“Did Daddy give you a pretty ring?” The word Daddy rolled off her tongue with so much ease, it was as though she’d been saying it her entire life.
“He sure did. Look.” I held out my hand to show her.
Her tiny mouth formed an O as she said, “Ooh. It’s sparkly like the stars at night.” Then she broke into her rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
When she finished the song, I asked, “Do you like it?”
“Uh-huh.” Her head vigorously went up and down. If I did that, I’d have a migraine. “Can I wear it?”
“Afraid not, lollipop. It’s way too big and I wouldn’t want you to lose it. But one day, your Prince Charming will give you a fancy ring.” With any luck, I added under my breath.
“Is that what Daddy is? Prince Charming?”
It was only an expression, but her eyes had widened and the toothless grin she wore had me saying, “He sure is.” Wait! Toothless grin? “Easton, where is your other front tooth?”
“The tooth fairy took it from under my pillow.”
“When did you lose it? I can’t believe I missed it!”
“I lost it in the dirt when I fell down.”
“Say what?”
“Uh-huh. Rey was showing me how to kick the soccer ball when I ran and I fell down. It got stuck in the dirt when it came out. See?” She lifted up her lip and there were traces of an old cut. Good thing kids healed so fast.
“You hurt yourself?”
With a lift of a shoulder, she said, “Not so much. Rey said I was a superstar cuz I only cried a little.”
“Good girl. That means you’re tough.”
“Like a warrior?”
“Yes! You’re a warrior.” I held out my fist and we bumped them.
Then she went to Tristian. “Daddy, did you do special things with Mommy?” If she only knew.
“I sure did. We had a very fun time.”
“When can I come and live here again?”
“Listen, peanut, Daddy and I are going to have some alone time because he’s going to meet Boppy in Vietnam for work. As soon as he leaves, you’ll come back here.”
Two small creases appeared between her eyes. “But I won’t get to live with Daddy?”
“Sure you will. He’s coming back with Boppy. They’ll only be gone a few weeks.”
“Can he sleep in my room? I can sleep on the floor and give him my bed.”
“That’s very nice of you, dumplin’, but I plan on sleeping with Mommy,” Tristian said. “Maybe when I get back, we can have a campout in the back yard.”
“A real campout in a tent and sleeping bag with a campfire? And roasted marshmallows?”
“Yup. Would you want to do that?”
“Yesssssss! Camping, yay!” She flung herself at him and he caught her, grinning.
“Sounds like you’re in on that. When I get back, we’ll make a plan.”
“Mommy, can you get me a pink princess sleeping bag? With some oonicorns and rainbows on it?”
“I’ll do my best, sweetheart.”
Mom came in and asked, “Easton, what’s taking you so long? You were supposed to be right back out.”
“Mimi! We’re having a campout in the back yard and Mommy’s getting me a pink princess oonicorn rainbow sleeping bag and Daddy’s roasting marshmallows in the campfire.”
“Wow. That’s some big plan. But we have to go, sunshine.”
“Go on,” Tristian said. “Mommy will see you in a couple of days.”
“But you won’t.” Her lower lip trembled. She clung to Tristian like a vine.
“I won’t be gone that long, and I’m counting on you to keep your mommy company for me.”
“Okayyy.” She sure was playing it up for him. “Daddy, will you bring me back some presents?”
“Easton, you don’t ask for things like that,” I scolded. “If someone wants to bring you a present, they’ll do it because of kindness, not because you asked.”
“But Boppy always brings me stuff.”
“Because Boppy spoils you to pieces.”
“I like to be spoiled.”
“I know you do, you little monster.” I tickled her ribs. “Now go with Mimi.”
Tristian set her down and she said, “I know. You and Daddy want to kissy-face.” She kissed the air as she ran off. That child was a mess.
My heart pinged when Tristian said, “I’m really gonna miss her when I’m gone.”
“She’s gonna miss you too. I’ll be fielding her questions every day. Thank God she’s in school or she would drive me crazy.”
“She is inquisitive.”
“You’ve only scratched the surface with her. Wait until your campout.”
“What do you mean my campout? That’s intended for the three of