My throat tightened. The composure I'd barely maintained nearly crumbled at those innocent words. I swallowed the burning in my eyes and carefully folded the drawing, tucking it into my bag.
"Let's go." I stood and took his hand. "Time to go home."
"Can we get ice cream?" Kai looked up at me, those silver eyes full of hope.
"Tomorrow." I saw his face fall and added, "But today I'll make your favorite spaghetti. Deal?"
"With meatballs?"
"Lots of them."
"Yes!" Kai cheered and bounced along beside me toward the parking lot.
Passing a convenience store, he stopped and pressed his face against the window, staring longingly at the chocolate on the shelves.
"Want some?" I fought a smile.
Kai turned around, looking at me with those big silver eyes. Despite his obvious craving, he shook his head. "It's okay. Mommy said sweets are for tomorrow."
His gaze kept drifting back to the chocolate.
I laughed and tapped his nose, leading him into the store. "Just one."
"Really?" Kai's face lit up.
"Of course."
He darted to the shelf, selecting carefully. Finally, he chose one with dark blue wrapping printed with stars.
"This one." He handed it to me with a big grin. "Mommy likes blue."
After I paid, Kai carefully tore open the wrapper, broke it in half, and gave me the bigger piece.
"Here, Mommy, you can have this."
"You have it," I crouched to his level, pushing the chocolate back. "Mommy doesn't eat sweets."
"But..." Kai frowned, thinking hard, then pushed it back with a serious expression.
"If you eat something sweet, you won't be sad anymore."
I froze, realizing he'd picked up on my mood again. Before I could respond, sweetness touched my tongue.
Kai had popped the chocolate into my mouth, giggling and showing his two little fangs.
When we got home, I went to the kitchen to make dinner while Kai kicked off his shoes, dumped his backpack on the couch, and sprawled at the coffee table to play with his Legos.
"Mommy, can I build a spaceship?"
"Sure." I stirred the pasta. "But don't scatter pieces everywhere."
"I won't!"
Moments later came the telltale clatter—pieces everywhere.
After dinner, Kai bounced off for his bath, emerging in his new rocket ship pajamas.
His little feet made pattering sounds in his slippers, hair still dripping wet. I toweled it dry, then blow-dried it. The dryer was loud, but Kai sat quietly, only flinching when hot air hit his neck.
