Page 52 of Daddy's Little Dreamer

“I just saw the big farm playset. That is so cool.” I didn’t know where to start first. My eyes darted around taking it all in. There was so much to play with.

“Do you want to play in here or take your friends outside?” Daddy asked me.

But I was still in shock. “You choose.” It was always better when Daddy picked for me plus my brain was on overload.

“Let’s start outside. Then you guys can work your way back in. Sound like a plan?”

My head bobbed up and down. Daddy and Tae left but I was still in awe.

“Sorry I couldn’t give you everything you wanted like this.” Mom’s voice surprised me.

“Mom, you gave me all that and more. I grew up in a loving home and never went without. You took care of me like a mother should and you were my best friend. I literally had everything.”

“Love is most important, Lila,” Daddy joined us. “I wish I could’ve had with my own mother half the bond you and Trevor share. It’s a beautiful thing to bear witness to and because of you, Trevor became the wonderful loving, caring adult that he is.”

“I feel like I was the burden, and you had to put your life on hold to raise me.”

“Never a burden. You’re my life and my entire world, Trevor, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

“You’re the best mom anyone could ask for and I wouldn’t change a thing about the life we had together. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, baby boy.”

When we hugged I realized it’d been far too long since we had, taking each day for granted after having spent so many of them together. From now on, every time I saw my mom I’d hug her like it’d been forever.

“Trebor.” When had Pressley come in? “Can we pway outside?”

“Absolutely, sweet girl.” She took my hand and did her best to pull me, so I played along.

“Come on, guys, let’s play on the jungle gym.” I called out to Brandon and Tae.

It was so much fun having friends, regardless of their ages, to play with. We swung and built sandcastles and helped Pressley up the rock wall. Down the slide she’d go, giggling away, then she’d throw her arms in the air and shout “again” and one of us would take her through it.

“Anyone want a juice box?” Daddy Adam shouted above our laughter, holding four in his hands. We sucked them down so fast like we had some sort of record to beat.

“Thank you, Daddy Adam.” Daddy was working the grill with Chuck, and inside I saw Mom and Amity setting out all the food I’d seen in the fridge. Good thing everyone was here to help us eat it because we’d never get through all that and I didn’t like wasting food.

“Alright boys, come get your food,” Daddy hollered, and we lined up. “Burger or hotdog.”

“Hot dog, please.” He handed me a plate.

“Go inside to get all the other goodies, then come back out to eat.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

Mom put a scoop of all my favorites on the plate. “You brought deviled eggs. Yay!”

She smiled. “Of course I did. They’re you’re favorite.”

I sat outside with my friends, eating all this yummy food, and as I saw all the smiling faces it hit me just how lucky I was, blessed even. I must’ve been a really good boy for the stars to grant me such a humongous wish. And a forever one at that.

After dinner my new friends and I decided to play inside. I immediately went for the giant wooden farmhouse.

“My dad made that.” Tae sat down beside me. “And I painted it. It was a lot of fun to make.”

“Are you a professional artist, cause if not, you totally should be.” Everything was perfect from the tiny yellow ducks to the cow eating hay. There was even a barn cat.

“I am. Mostly abstract art, but when Daddy asked if I wanted to help with this it woke another side of my gift. I think I’m gonna help him out in more littles’ rooms. He does a lot of them.”

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