Page 36 of The Family Man

“Hi, Zac.” Anise drags his name Zac out, and she does that stupid finger wave.

Rosemary and Cassia just smile and wave.

“How are you beautiful ladies doing today? I brought you all food as thanks. It’s from my new menu.” He passes the white plastic bag to me.

“Thanks, let me get them home. Call you later?” He asks as he winks at me.

All I can do is nod because the kiss still has me breathless.

As he takes Poppy and Nikhil’s hands, he lifts them both into his arms and walks down the steps.

“BYE. NIKIL!” Kayla waves. and Nikhil looks over his dad’s shoulder and smiles.

I close the door. Opening the bag I give each sister a box. Rosemary gasps as she opens the box.

“It looks good, but I hope it tastes good. Cornbread, fried chicken!”

Cassia chomps on the chicken leg and moans. She begins to clap her hands at me. “YOU! BETTER! KEEP! HIM!”

Rosemary eyes roll to the back of her head as she pulls a spoon out of her mouth. “Oh my God, taste the yams.”

Anise wipes her mouth and groans. “My God. Marry him. Keep him. Could you imagine our brunches will be elevated?”

I blush, because that’s exactly what I intend to do.

* * *

ZAC

Daire just left; thankfully, he washed up after dinner for me. Being a dad is interesting. My son is opening up more to me, though he is still not talking.

Poppy, is another story. Sometimes she talks to me through my brother, other times she says nothing to me. If she does decide to talk, she calls me Zac. Never Daddy or Dad. It shouldn’t grate my nerves, but it does.

I think it’s the way she says it. She says the c in my name with underlying disgust. She is only five; I can’t imagine her at sixteen. She will make me gray.

I watch them both change into their pj’s. They are still sharing Nikhil’s bedroom.

As I tuck them in, I need to know. “Did you have a good time at the neighbor’s house?”

Nikhil nods vigorously.

I turn to Poppy who looks like she has to decide if she wants to say yes. “I like her. She is nice to Nikhil and me. Her sisters are nice too.”

Nikhil nods and agrees.

“You think we should invite her to a movie night here and have her over for dinner.” I wait again. The jury looks at each other.

“Yes, maybe Kayla, Finn, and Chance can come too?” Poppy asks as she pulls the sheet to her chest.

I want to say no. “Maybe next time, okay? Close your eyes. It’s time to get some sleep.”

I stand and walk to the doorway and switch off the light. The bat signal night light is still on for them to see by.

What boggles my mind is, if they had said no, they didn’t like Sage. I don’t think I was going to see her again. I am learning, slowly but I am learning. My children are important.

I head to the shower, turn on the radio. “Lollipop” by Framing Hanley echoes through my bedroom. I love the Lil Wayne version, but this is just as good. The blaring sound of the bass is making my shower glass shudder. Thankfully, my kids are like their old man, they can sleep through a thunderstorm.

I shouldn’t have kissed her. but fuck it. I wanted to do it, so I did. I didn’t care whether her sisters were there or the kids. I have been thinking about her all day. Beating myself up about the date. I should have taken her inside or invited her for a cup of coffee at my house. “All in due time,” my mind whispers.

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