“Yes, and you can imagine how stressful his life is.” Casey had a point there. Most would see bright lights and fanboy over meeting one of their idols. It wasn’t until Casey said those words that it hit me how stressful a rockstar lifestyle would be, especially for a little.
“You’re good with him,” Jensen told Casey. “I hope he finds the right headspace to unwind.”
“Me too.” Casey crouched down beside Chase and whispered, “Chase, sweetie. Time to go home.”
“M’kay. Seepy.”
“I know, sweet boy. Let’s get you home so you can rest.”
“Wanna go home with you.”
Casey blinked a couple of times. Chase’s eyes popped open as the half-asleep words he’d uttered sunk in. “Oh, um.”
“I’d love to show you my place.” Chase got up and took Casey’s hand. “Thank you for having us today. Outside of flour-geddon, we had a great time.”
“Thank you,” Chase mumbled, cuddling the bear my sweet boy had given him. Hard to stay mad at a boy who had a heart as pure as Jamie’s.
But flour-geddon. How could you not laugh at the truth of that?
“You’re very welcome.”
Jamie didn’t stir while everyone whispered their goodbyes, until I scooped him up. “Happy birthday, Daddy.”
“Silly boy, it’s not Daddy’s birthday. It’s yours.”
“Oh yeah.” Jamie stretched as I laid him down on our bed. “Are you mad at me, Daddy?”
“Well, I’m not thrilled about the flour fiasco, but I hope you learned your lesson, and it never happens again.”
“It won’t, I promise. Are you mad about the bear?”
“Mad about the bear?”
“That I gave him to Chase? He said he didn’t have any stuffies and every boy needs a stuffie.”
“I agree. You have such a kind and loving heart. That selfless gesture nearly made me cry happy tears.”
“It made Chase really happy, too. I loved my bear but my Daddy spoils me, so I have plenty to share.” Wasn’t it always those who had very little that so easily shared? The world would be a better place if we all thought that way. Now, my boy would never want for anything again, but I didn’t see the essence of who he was changing because of that.
“That you do and I’m so proud to be your Daddy. You make everyone’s world shine and that’s why you’re Daddy’s Shiny Star.”
“Shiny Star,” Jamie yawned. “I seepy Daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart. You really need a shower, but you have noodle legs. Let me put you in your pj’s and you can shower in the morning before work.” Thankfully, the hose washed away the majority of the mess, though I’m sure bits would be found for days to come.
“They’re closing my store, Daddy.”
Wait? What?
“We can talk about this in the morning when you’re more awake.” Jamie wouldn’t be happy not working, heenjoyedpeopling,as he called it. Plus, it was important to him to earn his own money. But as far as I was concerned if he didn’t want to work, he didn’t have to.
“M’kay, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you too, birthday boy.” Freshly changed, he rolled over and was out.
Before I even attempted to shower, inspecting the kitchen had to come first, or I’d toss and turn all night. Jensen, Mitchell, Casey, and Chase had cleaned it up well enough for the party to continue, but flour had a way of sneaking into cracks and crevices not readily visible.
Sure enough, the cupboard doors and the crown molding along the top of the cabinets had to be wiped down. I pulled the fridge out and took care of the whiteout beneath it and gave the floor a quick mop. I wonder how bakers managed their flour-filled days. With flour must come magic to contain it, and after this, I’ll never overlook bakery staff again. A quick change of the air filter, which, as expected, had trapped some of it. If anyone else had seen this filter they would’ve thought I’d been sanding drywall mud today.
