The little boy nearly knocks me off my feet when he jumps into my arms with a big hug. I catch him, his weight settling against my chest as I squeeze him back.
“Whoa,” I laugh. “Hey, buddy. I missed you, too.”
We’ve already fallen into a nice routine with me picking Cameron up from school each day. Every afternoon that I get to watch him instead of wasting my life away at part-time jobs gets better and better.
“How was your day?” I ask him.
His nose wrinkles at me. “Lunch was super gross.”
I laugh. The little boy perks right up and eagerly accepts the snacks I packed for him. I knew he’d be starving after school. He despises the meals they serve in the lunch program, but wants to be like his cousin, so he refuses to bring a cold lunch from home. Eight-year-olds are a strange species.
“Is Dad still away on his work trip?” he asks me, crumbs from his oversized rice cake clinging to the corners of his mouth.
I nod. “Just for a little longer, kiddo. He'll be back before you know it, I promise.”
Cameron’s shoulders slump, and I know he’s bummed. He misses his dad. I don’t blame him. Lincoln’s only been gone a day, but already, I feel a little lost without him, too.
These days, I’m not a fan of having to sleep in that big bed without my husband next to me. If anyone asks, I definitely didn’t cuddle with his cologne-scented pillow last night.
“Your dad will be home soon. But, how about we meet up with your cousin so you can play before dinner?”
“Yay!” He throws his arms up in triumph and runs off toward Lincoln’s car that I’m driving while he’s away.
We cruise across town to meet Alba and Jagger for a play date at the park. The boys bolt off toward the playground, hooting and laughing like they didn’t just see each other twenty minutes ago at school.
I drop down at the picnic table next to my best friend. We catch up on the latest gossip as we watch the kids play.
“Ugh. Did you see your cousin at the wedding? The one with the short blonde hair?” Alba asks, leaning back against the wooden table.
“Ah. The tall one that looks like she has a stick up her fake silicone butt?” I grunt.
“That’s the one,” Alba confirms, snapping her fingers. “That woman wouldn’t quit drooling every time one of the Raines boys took a spin on the dance floor.”
“I saw that,” I laugh. “I’m surprised you didn’t give her the smack down when she started ogling Easton.”
“Oh, I’m used to gorgeous women pining after my hockey stud muffin. But you tell her that if she comes within six feet of him, I will crush her like a bug.”
I shake my head at the idea of my tiny friend beating up anyone. It’s comical. “I’ll take great joy in passing along that message.”
I jolt when I hear Cameron cry out. Then he’s hobbling over to me, holding his pant leg up.
My heart leaps into my throat. “Cameron! What happened?”
“I fell and scraped my knee.” He’s sniffling and holding back big boy tears.
“I’m so sorry, Cameron,” Jagger cuts in, patting his cousin on the back and looking miserable himself. “I shouldn’t have been chasing you so fast.”
Cameron shakes his head. “It’s not your fault. We both should have been more careful.”
Sometimes, the emotional maturity of these two little boys startles me. I know grownups—myself included—who can’t articulate their feelings half as well as Cameron and Jagger do.
Cameron looks at me, wincing. “But it hurts. Is it bleeding?”
I have him sit on the park bench and then gently roll up his pant leg, inspecting the small scrape. It’s not bad, and it’s barely bleeding, but I know Cameron won’t be able to relax until his wound is out of sight.
I grin at him, swiping a lone tear with my thumb. “I think we’ll be able to save the leg. What do you think, Alba?”
My friend chuckles. “You’re in good hands with Nurse Jules here.”
