“Okay, Papa.” Neal stood up on the picnic table’s bench seat and gave me a peck on my cheek, making me feel all warm and glowy inside. “You guys decide, then we know what to buy stuff for before we go get it. Just don’t take too long. I can wait until tomorrow.”
Jolar and I exchanged a look over our son’s head as he sat back down and waited to be served his food.
Damn, six years old and already a master at negotiating. He’d gotten us to agree to a pet, just not what kind. We needed to really be on our toes with him, for sure.
Neal quickly ate his food and afterwards, ran off to join two children he knew from school who arrived with their mother. As he climbed up the monkey bars, I mused. “A cat would be nice. I always kind of wanted a cat. A big orange one, like Morris.”
Jolar just looked thoughtful. “Morris?”
“Uh huh. Morris the Cat, from 9 Lives cat food.”
“Morris the Cat from 9 Lives cat food,” he echoed. “Interesting.”
He didn’t say anything more, but I had a feeling he was going to look that up later as part of his thinking-about-pets thing. I found myself getting a little excited. Yes, a cat would be very nice indeed.
CHAPTER19
JOLAR
I readmy work notification again and sighed.
“What is it?” Mitchell asked me as he packed Neal’s lunch with leftovers from yesterday’s picnic. “Worried about the field trip? It’s just over to one of the other ships, I’m sure he’ll be okay.”
Realizing that I’d given him cause for concern, I gave him a smile. “I know he will be. The aquarium will no doubt make him reconsider how boring fish can be.”
We both laughed, knowing that Neal probably would want some exotic fish or other after this.”
“The only shark this house would ever get would be a vacuum cleaner,” Mitchell declared.
“There is also a manufacturing company named Shark?” I guessed.
“Yup, and they make vacuum cleaners. You’d think pool cleaners wouldn’t you? But no.”
“Papa, it’s time to go! Is my lunch ready?” Neal asked, barreling into the kitchen with Stitch. “I lookeded and Larry was at the door!” He giggled. “His mama hadn’t even rangded the doorbell yet.”
“It’s right here, buddy.” Mitchell lifted up the insulated lunch bag, which had Stitch on it, riding a surfboard while wearing a lei.
“Thanks, Papa!” Neal said, taking it. “Bye!”
“Hey, now, where’s our goodbye kisses?” Mitchell called after him.
I watched fondly as Neal turned quickly to rush back. Two quick pecks on the cheek later, and he was off again without another backward glance.
“Have fun!” I called out, as he exited the front door.
“We will!” Larry called through the open door before it slid shut.
I stood. “I don’t know what time I’ll be home today,” I said regretfully. Shoving my feelings aside, I continued. “That’s what I was upset about. I just got a message saying to report to the shuttle bay. I’m to go down to the surface today regarding a case against a special prisoner.”
“Oh, wow. You be careful, okay? Don’t worry about me and Neal. I can pick him up and we’ll watch a movie. I’ll make some fried chicken. That’s good hot or cold so if you get in late, you can eat it without having to wait.”
I cupped his chin, tilting his face towards mine. “You’re simply perfect,” I murmured, before pressing my lips to his.
He kissed me back, his cheeks and neck reddening adorably. “I am not,” he replied, breathless from our kiss. “But if you don’t get going now, you might not make it to work today at all.”
“I’ll message as soon as I know when I will return,” I promised him, walking to the door. He followed me.
“I’ll keep an eye out for it,” he replied.
