“It’s okay, baby,” I soothe. “Do you want to go to bed or finish the movie?”
“Movie.”
“You sure?” I kiss his chest and button him up.
“I need to see the ending.”
“But bed after.”
“Okay. Dicky?” He sounds unsure about taking him, so I grab him off the bed and hand him to my boy.
“Of course. They would never think of making you feel silly.”
He nods. “Good, because I want to snuggle.”
I expect to see my dad and Izzy in the living room, but I guess they aren’t finished— yuck. I don’t want that thought in my head.
“Hey, hurry up, old man,” I shout, and Dad grumbles, so I decide to press him. “If you need directions on how to find?—”
“We’re fine,” he answers, and Izzy giggles.
“Oh, he knows how to find it. He’ssogood at it,” Izzy yells back.
“Lalalalala, I can’t hear you.”
“Real mature,” Dad teases.
“Come on, let’s finish this thing. I want to see if Santa dies in the end,” I add.
“Santa can’t die!” both Whit and Izzy gasp.
“So many good presents, and then there were kittens! This was the best Christmas ever.” He squeezes Dicky so tight I’m worried his head is going to pop off.
I can’t help but smile at Whit’s excited rambling.
He’s been going on non-stop since we got in the car to head home. Normally someone talking this much would annoy the shit out of me, but for some reason, he doesn’t.
“I agree. Best Christmas ever.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he asks, “How much longer until we get home?”
“Maybe an hour.”
“Can I play my Switch?”
“Sure. That would be a great way to pass the time.”
Whit crawls over the armrest and reaches into the back seat. He was so excited when he opened up the present, I thought he was going to cry. It breaks my heart that while he can afford to buy himself toys and video games, he doesn’t because he’s worried about being judged.
I might scratch his parents’ eyes out if I ever meet them.
“Yes! First place!” he shouts excitedly and turns the Switch so I can see it, not that I look because I’m driving.
“Great job, babe.”
“Are you sad that you didn’t get as many presents as me or Izzy?” he asks softly.
“I don’t need anything, babe, and the crafts you made for me are so much more special.”
