Page 36 of Something More

“And you don’t want that?” I laughed again.

“Ew, no.” He shook his head.

“It’s a nice day. Why don’t we make sandwiches and go to the creek for a picnic?” Hank suggested.

“Can we, Mom?” Jack’s face lit up.

“I’m ok with that. You can help make them.”

“Yes! This is the best day.” Jack pulled a folder from his backpack. “I have a bunch of stuff for you to sign.” He handed me the folder. “I’ll make the sandwiches while you look at all that.” He waved his finger at the folder as I held it.

“Sounds like a plan.” I opened the folder and started reading through the pile of papers. It was all the standard forms for the beginning of the year. Permissions for photo, medical treatment, lists of who can pick up early, emergency contacts, all the stuff that they ask every year that doesn’t really change. This year would be the exception for us. Jack had a whole new life now, and I hoped that the rest of his school days would be here.

“Turkey or ham?” Jack called from where he was assembling sandwiches.

“You can pick. It doesn’t matter to me.” I waved him off as I filled out yet another form with our address and phone number. “Next year, I’m getting stickers with all this info on them so I can just stick them to the form,” I grumbled.

“I can help,” Hank offered. It was sweet, but he doesn’t know all the details yet.

“Thanks, but I’m almost finished. Why don’t you pack the picnic basket?” I motioned to the kitchen where Jack was pulling out bags of chips. “There’s fruit in the fridge you can put in there, too.”

“Blueberries?” Jack’s eyes went wide. They were his favorite.

“You bet.” I grinned as he rushed over and I heard the sound of the crisper drawer opening.

“Yes!” He fist-pumped.

After finishing packing the basket, I grabbed our bag of towels and went to change into a swimsuit.

“I’ll grab some drinks,” Hank called as I disappeared down the hall.

“Thanks!” I yelled. “We’ll meet you outside.” I knew Hank needed to go get his trunks.

After changing, I stood in the middle of my room just processing all of it. This felt like a family. It felt a lot like what I’d lost over the last year. Jack seemed truly happy, and it really meant a lot to me that he was so accepting of Hank.

*****

Hank

It seemed like more than the few minutes it took for them to come outside. I’d been on cloud nine all day, and part of me was afraid to let Codie out of my sight. The day had beendreamlike for me, and I was afraid it would all go away if I blinked.

We walked together down the path to the small bank where we always stopped to swim. Jeff had told me he’d keep the guys away so we could enjoy the afternoon. Codie spread out a blanket and we set the picnic basket in the middle. Then we stripped out of our clothes and waded into the cool water. Jack flopped down, submerging himself under the water and then demonstrated how well he was doing with his swimming.

“Come and get me!” He splashed at me. When Codie nodded that she understood, I stomped through the water on a mission to dunk him. We splashed around for the next hour until I needed a break.

“I think your mom might want some company. Why don’t we take a break and eat our picnic?” I held out my hand and he gave me five.

“Deal. Let’s eat.” We trudged through the water, and up onto the bank, plopping down on the blanket.

“You boys have fun out there?” She smiled, and my heart squeezed. How did I get so lucky?

“The best.” Jack reached for his sandwich. He took a giant bite and sighed. I don’t think he wanted to admit that he was starving. Water play is hard work.

“I think I’m going to float on a tube after and just relax,” he mumbled around a bite of food.

“That sounds nice.” Codie smiled sweetly as she licked her fingers clean.

*****

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