Cool.
“Whatcha think, Preston? You want to put a movie on?”
“No.”
“You’re the boss,” I said, watching my phone to make sure I wouldn’t miss Hannah’s call. What was supposed to be her day to train me at work turned into a mess, and I was glad I could help her. I had gotten to know the little guy pretty well the past year on nights she couldn’t find a babysitter.
“I don’t have tands.” Preston put his arms behind him, smiling way too wide for me to trust his intentions.
“Tands?”
“Tands. How can I pick up the remote?”
“Hands. You mean hands.” I nodded. “I see them. You have two.”
“No. No tands. Change the channel, Miss Ryann.”
“I don’t have hands either.” I mirrored his movements, laughing when his frown took up his very small face. “What do we do?”
Jonah came out of his room and narrowed his eyes at Preston and me before arching one eyebrow. “What are you doing?”
“We don’t have hands, obviously,” I said, making a real scene about it by rolling my eyes and giving Preston a look like,can you believe this guy?
“Change the channel, mister,” Preston said, making his voice get all sweet. I’d give it to him, the kid had moxie. Jonah blew out a quick breath before taking three steps to the couch and grabbing the remote.
“What do you want on?”
“Movie with the yellow guys.”
“Yellow guys?”
“Mittens.”
“Yellow mittens?” Jonah asked, the absolute confusion on his face making me laugh. Preston might as well have told him aliens existed and chocolate coins were the new currency.
“Minions,” I said, throwing the guy a bone. “He’s asking for Minions.”
“Ah, I see.”
Jonah frowned at the remote and stared in utter silence. “Where would I even find that?”
Before I could answer, my phone rang and Hannah’s name popped up. I used my nose to answer, still keeping my hands behind my back. I hit the speaker button after the call connected. “Hey Han. Got you on speaker.”
“You never have to pay for coffee again. Ever. Thank you.”
“No sweat. He was great. He doesn’t have hands anymore, but I don’t either, so we’ll have to adjust to our new life.”
“I’m sure we’ll get through it. I’m heading back to the shop. Do you wanna bring him by in fifteen?”
“As long as he doesn’t lose any feet on the way, we’ll walk there now.”
“Thank you, Ryann.” Her voice got deep, and I understood the emotion in those words. They were often overused, but paired with intensity and sincerity, they became meaningful.
“You’re welcome.”
I hung up and waited for Preston to stand. “It’s walking time, kid. Can you get your stuff, or are we leaving it here forever?”
“My tands came back.”
