“Hi, Micah.” Carrie knelt down and held out her hand. The little boy was holding tight to Tawson’s hand. Vic caught his eye and smiled. Even from the few feet away, looking over everyone’s heads, Vic could see that Tawson was finally enjoying himself. “Do you know who I am?”
“Sheep!” Micah said. “And Wood. Jess.”
“Close enough,” Vic said with a smile. Vic finally chanced bending over in the costume and when it held, they were all for getting down on the kids’ levels. “Hi. Would you like to take a picture?”
They lined up. The little boy held his hands up for Tawson to hold him. After getting permission from Mom, Tawson lifted Micah to his hip. Vic stood next to them, wrapping their arm around Tawson’s lower back. They posed for a few seconds before Micah’s mom gave them the okay and thanked them for the photo. Vic slipped the kid another candy bar while he was saying goodbye to Buzz.
“That is the cutest little kid,” Carrie said. “Please, someone remind me that kids cost so much money.”
Rachel laughed and Vic joined in. They wanted kids one day, but like Carrie said, little ones cost money. One day, though, he’d like to adopt. Brett and Wylon had done it twice. Their little ones were growing fast and Vic loved playing with them.
“Do you have any kids, Professor?”
“Oh no,” Tawson said. Vic tried not to show how much they were listening in. They pulled a new bag of candy out from under the table while they talked. “I’d like to, one day. But it’snot in the cards just yet.”
“What about you, Vic? Plan on any little ones?”
Vic could see in their peripheral that Tawson was watching now. He wasn’t near as subtle. “Eventually,” Vic answered honestly. “My sister’s girlfriend has a program with this orphanage from Cali where they fly one or two kids out to the ranch and they spend the weekend there. I help out when I can and it’s always fun to watch the kids experience something totally new. I think I’d like to adopt one day.”
“You live on a ranch?” Rachel asked. “I guess that made the costume easy.”
“Not really,” Vic said with a small laugh. “I had to convince Ta- Professor Lancaster to get my costume when he got his. My dad was more than happy to take me to get a real hat, though. The boots are courtesy of my uncle.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a new group of kids. Vic and Tawson continued to pose for pictures and pass out candy. Tawson seemed a lot more relaxed and helped a few of the kids with the game. He was laughing and talking with each kid and their respective adult, from barely old enough to walk to older kids on their last year or so of trick-or-treating.
Rachel and Carrie left at one point for about thirty minutes. There was a station set up with a couple of food trucks and they came back with hot dogs and a sandwich and drinks. “Y’all go take a break,” Carrie said. “Vic, I think I saw your friend. Joe? He said to tell you ‘sorry not sorry’ for ditching you ten minutes in.”
“I love him, but the guy has the attention span of a fish. He probably ran into someone he knew.” They looked over at Tawson. “I am getting kind of hungry though. Do you want to go get something?”
“Sounds good,” Tawson said. “Are you sure you’re okay here for a while?”
“All good. Try the chocolate bananas. They’re delicious.” Carrie smiled and she and Rachel turned to greet the next kid that walked up.
Vic and Tawson walked away, toward the main gate of the campus. They had the food trucks set along the U-shape driveway that led to the Welcome building. It held the student union and other departments. Vic didn’t really have a reason to visit there outside of getting the badge and keys when they first moved in.
“Everything okay?” Vic asked. “I know you said Halloween isn’t your favorite. It isn’t because of…”
“I’m okay,” Tawson said. His smile was weak at best. “I promise. I am having fun and I love seeing all the kids coming through.”
“You really want to have kids some day?” Vic asked. Tawson stepped half behind them, putting a hand on Vic’s lower back. The small touch reminded them of the first time Tawson had done that, months ago. Their first conversation alone. How times changed so quickly.
“I do,” Tawson said. “I thought I’d have them before now, but I’m kind of glad I didn’t. Which sounds terrible.”
“No it doesn’t,” Vic said. “It wasn’t meant to be and I don’t mind being selfish in saying that I’m glad too. How many do you see yourself having?”
“At least two,” Tawson answered easily. “You?”
Vic pretended to be thinking about it. “Forty-six.”
Tawson choked on a surprise laugh. Vic joined him, patting Tawson on the back and then taking advantage of the moment and rubbing soothing circles between his shoulder blades. “I’m kidding. Two, maybe three. I’d like them to be fairly close in age though.”
“Good to know,” Tawson whispered. They finally made it to the food area and looked at their options. There was the basic American cuisine with hot dogs, hamburgers, fries. Another had a variety of club sandwiches and similar items. The third was selling tacos. “What are you feeling?”
“I don’t care,” Vic said. “Surprise me.”
“I don’t have my wallet,” Tawson said with a scoff. “You’re treating me tonight.”
“Oh, that’s how it is?” Vic responded. “I only have my phone so I hope they have tap to pay.”
