“You sure? Because I’m not going to say no.”
He laughed. “I’m sure. I’ll catch ya later.”
I got to my feet to go check on Avery when her little girl appeared in front of me. “Hello, mister,” she said cheerfully. “Thank you for helping Mommy sleep.”
“Oh, um,” I stammered, unsure of what to say.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“I go by Savior.”
She scrunched her nose. “That’s a funny name.”
I laughed. “Well, it’s more of a nickname.”
“Oh, how’d you get it?”
“I helped save someone, and her grandfather started calling me Savior. Pretty soon, everyone else did, too,” I explained.
“See, Braxton. I told you he wasn’t really the sandman,” she yelled with her hands on her hips. I turned to see her little brother quietly sitting at the top of the stairs watching us.
“Hi,” I said and gave him a little wave.
“Hi,” he said and waved his hand excitedly. He jumped to his feet and hurried down the stairs, but his little feet wouldn’t move as fast as his body was trying to go. I saw it before it even started to happen—his torso went forward while his feet were still planted on the stair behind him.
“Shit!” I yelled and dove for the boy, knocking over a lamp in the process. By sheer luck, I caught him and cradled him against my chest while I landed on my side with a loud thud.
As soon as we hit the ground, he began to scream and cry. “Hey, little man, you’re okay. I know that was scary, but I got you.”
“What in the world is going on in here?” Claire called out as she came running into the room with Avery right behind her.
“Savior saved Brax! Can he stay for dinner?” Riley squealed.
“What?” Avery gasped and took her crying son from my arms.
“He tripped coming down the stairs. Sorry about your lamp, but I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch him,” I told her.
“I don’t care about the lamp,” she said and hugged her son while she swayed from side to side. “Are you hurt?”
“He’s fine. He never touched the ground.”
“I meant you.”
“Oh,” I said and waved my hand dismissively. “I’m fine. I’m just glad he’s okay.”
“Braxton, what did Mommy tell you about running down the stairs?” Avery asked her son.
“That I’m not supposed to do it,” he said quietly.
“That’s right. Now do you understand why Mommy tells you not to run down the stairs?”
He nodded his head and sniffled. “Yes, Mommy.”
Riley grabbed my hand and started pulling. “Come on, Savie; you can sit beside me.” I glanced at Avery for help, but she completely ignored me. “Nana! Savie’s having dinner with us,” Riley yelled.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I made some extra, isn’t it?” Claire said with a smile.
The backdoor opened and an older gentleman stepped inside. “Papa!” Riley squealed and barreled toward the man.
