“Yup, says so right there,” he pointed to theDaddy loves Taetag.
“Little brother,” Oscar mussed his hair, “You need to wash your hair, it’s full of paint.” Tae giggled. “This is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. You really need to get your art out there—legally.”
“Ha-ha, real funny.”
“I’m dead serious. You have a gift and the world needs to see it.”
“Thank you,” Tae blushed. “Can you guys help me get all the shelves and stuff moved in this weekend? Then I can put my toys away and be ready for the wedding. I hope my friends like it.”
“Tae, there’s no way they won’t.” This was more of a middle than a little themed room but to be honest, my boy did flow back and forth between the two. One of many things I love about him.
“I was thinking about letting them write something on the wall. Like a message for me to read when they’re not here to remind me of them.”
There was no way this boy’s heart, so full of love, would fit in his small body much longer.
“Think Samian would too, Oscar? And you too, of course. Oooh!” He squealed, Daddy, will you write something special for me?”
“I’d be honored, my love.” Powers that be, please let me know what I did to deserve this boy so I can keep doing it.
“And Momma. Okay, I think that’s everyone.”
Oscar hugged him again. “Tell you what, give me a couple of days to think about what I want to say, and this weekend, when we help you move in, I’ll write my message.”
“Why don’t you make a paint splatter for each of us to personalize,” I suggested. I’d hate to write in the wrong area and ruin this beautiful mural.
“That’s a great idea, Daddy. I’ll do that tomorrow that way it’s nice and dry for the wedding and they can all sign it then.” He skipped away, pretty damn proud of himself, as he should be.
“Oscar, don’t ever doubt what you did for those boys. If that amount of love came from what you were able to give them, it’s worth more than its weight in gold. That’s your doing. You showed Tae and Samian love and kindness, and it shows in everything they do.”
He dabbed at his eyes. “Knock it off, fucker, you’re making me cry.” I hugged my brother-in-law to-be. “I’ll say bye to Tae then I’m gonna head out. See you in the morning.”
I took a few minutes to myself, getting acquainted and memorizing Tae’s hard work while allowing Oscar and Tae a few minutes alone. I’d take pictures of it later to add to his website once we’d all written our messages. Every minute detail was accounted for, from shadows on the blocks to the smiles on everyone’s faces. We really looked like us. The lettering was three-dimensional and popped out. The dragon’s claws were sharp, his teeth lethal and long. Every opalescent scale glimmered in the sunlight. The amount of detail that went into this mural was astounding.
“Daddy, are you still…There you are.”
“Tae, I just can’t say it enough—this is amazing. Your best work ever and that is saying something because you always impress me. I just…” I just what? I wish I had this talent. I wished the world could see what my boy could do. “Everyone is going to love it. Did you take pictures?”
“I did but I want to take new ones once everyone writes their messages. Is it selfish of me to ask them to do that?” He nibbled his bottom lip, second guessing himself.
“Absolutely not. They’ll be so excited to be a part of Tae’s World. And just for the record, there isn’t a selfish bone in that adorable body of yours.” He giggled again. “You are truly gifted, my love.”
“Nah.”
“Yes, you are. Samian will be blown away.” Hell, I was still having trouble finding my words. “Come on, Little Artist, let’s go eat.”
“These bookcases are fucking heavy,” Oscar complained.
“That’s because they’re solid oak. I wasn’t making that particleboard shit for Tae’s room. Quit bitching and get to moving.” Oscar was a bit on the grouchy side today. “Shesh, someone needs to get laid.” He stopped and stared at me. “Hit that one right on the head, didn’t I?”
“Shut up and move.” Oscar did his best to sound angry, but I knew better. Hopefully tonight he’ll find a way, or find a someone, to work off this pent-up anger with.
We got the shelves secured in place and just as I was about to tell him to take off, he waved me outside to his truck. “I made Tae a gift for his room. Help me bring it in.”
That surprised me. I knew Oscar was more than accepting of our lifestyle, but he’d never done anything like this before.
“Wow, he’s gonna love this.” Together, Oscar and I got the small table and chairs moved into the room without Tae noticing. Until he came in with a load of toys a few minutes later.
“Daddy?” his wide eyes blinked, staring right at the table.
