“Can I treat you gentlemen to lunch and answer any questions you may have?” Roger suggested. Who were we to turn down a free meal.
“Sounds like a plan.” Just as with the first one, we took as many pictures as we’d need and headed into town for lunch.
Both parcels where near where Tae and I had stayed back in February. My sweet boy fell in love with the area, which is why I wanted to keep our search nearby. Sure, I could’ve foundcheaper land elsewhere, but the place my boy adored was worth more than saving a few bucks.
After lunch, we said goodbye to Roger with a promise to soon be in touch and headed back down the hill. I had a feeling that Oscar and I had both picked the same property. “So, what were you thinking with the more than one cabin question?”
“Well, at first I was thinking one for you and Tae, one for me and Samian and one for your mom.” Oscar’s kindness, including my mother as he just did, was beyond words. “Then I got to thinking that maybe we could rent them out too when we’re not using them.”
“Both are viable options. Now, for the big question—which lot would you choose?” The theme song to the Jeopardy show played in my head as I waited.
“The dilapidated cabin closer to town.”
“Bingo Baby!” It was rare we didn’t agree on business related items. “And if we built them with the intention of occasionally renting them out it would then become a business investment.”
“Bingo Baby!” Oscar threw my teasing words back.
I laughed. “Price was a bit high, but it was closer to town and had a well, which we’d have to get assessed. Building up north during the summer would be hella nice.”
“Maybe we could have Christmas up north this year?”
He really got me with that one. “Tae and Momma would love to have their first white Christmas.” We chatted back and forth and agreed on a number to offer the seller and Oscar fired off a text to Roger to let him know. “Now, we wait.” I was ridiculously excited to share the photos with Tae and see what he thought.
“Daddy! You’re home!” My boy came skidding around the corner as soon as Oscar and I stepped inside the house.
“Silly boy, what’s got you so riled up?”
“Come on,” Tae took mine and Oscar’s hands and led us down the hall, stopping outside his playroom. “I finished.”
“A week ahead of schedule. I’m so proud of you.”
“Silly Daddy,” he rolled his eyes. “You haven’t seen it yet. The walls could be solid black for all you know.”
“Someone is pushing for a spanking,” I winked even though Tae knew I was joking.
“That’s my queue to leave,” Oscar turned but Tae pulled him back.
“No, I want both of you to be the first to see it.”
This felt like a grand unveiling at a posh art gallery in the uptown area. Tae opened the door and waved his arms, “Ta-da!”
Stitch was painted on the short entry wall with the words,Make every day special, framing him. Above that in a multi-color paint splat was,Tae’s Room.
“Whoa,” Oscar’s eyes widened as he took it all in. “Tae, I knew you were talented, but this is off the charts exceptional.”
Tae hugged him. “Thank you.” Then he proceeded to walk us through the two-wall mural. “The theme at first was Daddy slayed the dragons, then I realized how much I liked dragons, so it changed to Daddy made friends with the dragons.” A huge blue and black dragon stood before the castle. The gate was open and lay across the moat, allowing new friends to enter. It was painted on the main wall of his room while the rest of the blockwall surrounding the castle trailed across the next wall. There I was, my bearded face clear as day, wearing a medieval knight’s chainmail. Faithful Stitch stood by my side, sword in hand.
Atop the castle wall all our family members were represented and cheered for us. Momma, Oscar, and Samian. Hands in the air waving wildly. Along the block walls there were multiple paint splatters done in an urban tagging theme. Each held a different saying.
RIP Grandmawith roses woven through her name.Daddy loves Tae,Stitch was herewith his pawprint in paint. The second wall had a long splatter withTae’s Worldpainted on it and at the end was Daddy hugging his sweet, curly-haired boy.
“See, Tae’s world,” my boy pointed to the tag on the final scene.
“Tae,” my throat constricted as tears slid down my face.
“Do you like it, Daddy?” Those beautiful brown eyes so full of love gazed up at me, hoping I was just as proud of him as he was.
“Sweetheart, it’s amazing. I love it and I love you.”
