Her lips twitched.
I narrowed my eyes at her across the table. “That was supposed to be a secret.”
She finally did laugh. “It slipped out.”
I rolled my eyes and looked over at Aiden. “Yeah, there was, but don’t tell anyone. That’s just between the two,” I paused and glanced across the table, “three of us,” I corrected.
Aiden nodded. “What was it?”
“Top Gunwith Tom Cruise.”
For years when I was younger, my family teased me that a movie was what had spurred my dream of being a pilot. To counter their teasing, I lied and said I barely even remembered the movie.
I told them that meeting a pilot at an air show at age ten that encouraged my dream of being a pilot.
Savannah was the only person to whom I’d told the truth. That movie imprinted on me at six years old, and ever since there was nothing else I wanted to be.
“Can we watch it?” Aiden asked.
“He can get you to watch a movie you never heard of, but I’ve begged you to watchStar Trekand you consistently turn me down,” Savannah chimed in.
Aiden held up his hands. “Star Trekis boring,” he griped.
“Take that back,” Savannah said, laughing.
“Whoa, kid,” I added. “Star Trekis quality TV. Captain Kirk is top tier.”
Savannah snorted. “He means Captain Picard is the best captain Star Fleet has ever or will ever see.”
“Oh, man.” I shook my head. “We’re still on this nonsense.”
Aiden’s head ping-ponged between Savannah and me as we debated the merits of which captain was best.
“Wait, so can we watchTop Gun?” he asked again.
“Whenever you’re ready, kid.” I pointed my fork at him. “But you have to giveStar Trekat least one try.”
He frowned but waved his hand. “Fine. Can we watch the movie tonight?”
I lifted an eyebrow in Savannah’s direction.
“I’m sure Mr. Ace is tired after a long day. Maybe another night.”
“I’m good,” I said, interrupting her. “And I’m always game to watchTop Gun.”
“Yes,” Aiden cheered.
“Finish your dinner first. You don’t eat while watching TV.”
The pace at which Aiden ate increased noticeably. Savannah and I both laughed as we watched him shovel a spoonful of sweet potatoes into his mouth.
After Savannah warned Aiden multiple times against the danger of choking, we finished dinner and were in the living room within minutes.
Aiden sat between the two of us on the couch. Again, that warmth shrouded my chest and the air, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger than me was happening without my permission.
Aiden was a champion and was able to stay awake for the entire movie. He cheered at the end when Tom Cruise, a.k.a. Maverick, reengaged in the fight to help his fellow pilot. That part always got to me, too.
By the time the credits rolled, I peered down into my lap to see Aiden’s head in it. His eyes were closed, his breathing even. Just that quickly, he’d conked out.
