Shit, was he talking like that at eight? Farrah’s appalled face might be matching his.
“Dad did,” Archer said. “At Christmas. He had doctor friends over when I was in bed. But I heard them talking about it. I thought they were talking about a patient.”
He lifted his eyebrow at Farrah. Just like he hadn’t known there were so many muscles in his body that didn’t get used, he hadn’t known a person’s face could actually get as red as a fire hydrant.
“From a medical standpoint, it can happen,” she said as primly as she could. “It’s about blood flow.”
“So if you get in a hot bath you grow?”
“Okay, we are done with this conversation. Why don’t you go upstairs and wash your face and hands. There is ice cream and chocolate everywhere.”
Archer jumped down and took off running.
“He’s got an inquisitive mind.”
“He does,” she said. “Thanks for everything.”
It was the soft, gentle way she said it.
Emotions that he didn’t normally witness from her.
Most times she was smiling, laughing, exasperated or even frustrated with her son’s antics. He could read the signs more than her voicing them.
Right now he couldn’t read shit.
Her voice was low, her eyes slightly glossy, the depths of them almost searing into his soul, making his heart stumble over itself.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “But no thanks needed. He’s a great kid.”
“Yes,” she said, clearing her throat. “He’s the best.”
“Gets it all from his mother.”
14
NOT A GOD
Farrah wasn’t so sure her son got everything from her. She’d like to think he got a lot though.
Especially bonding with the man in front of her.
The one who just had one of the best “father son talks” she could have ever hoped for.
The guy who had only known her son for a few weeks could handle him better than she could.
Listening to him answer Archer’s questions better than she could froze her to the spot when she’d heard them talking and saw their heads down together sharing a sweet treat after a long fun day.
“Sounds like you guys had a great day.”
“We did. It was a blast. How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” she said, reaching for her son’s bowl. Her hand stopped. “You didn’t lick yours this clean.”
He laughed, his smile bright, the humor in his eyes hitting her like a long labor pain. Something that hurt like hell but was so worth it in the end.
“Tomorrow we’re going to talk comic books. Can you give me some pointers so I don’t come off like an idiot?”
“Knowing you, you’ll go home and research it to be ready for him.”
