Page 27 of Cedarwood Manny

“Do you love Nate?”

Oh, boy. “I—well…yes.” Not marriage love, but he cared about Nathan. “You’re full of questions tonight.”

“Kerri said you didn’t love me.” Kyle frowned. “She said you only love teeth.”

Interesting. A preschooler came up with this line of thought?“Where’d she hear that?”

Kyle shrugged.

“Well, I love you very much. I like teeth and doing my job, but you’re the most important.” He hugged Kyle again and kissed the top of his head. “Cross my heart.”

Kyle didn’t squirm and stopped flipping pages. “Dad? Kerri said you were a freak. What’s a freak?”

Jesus.The child hadn’t come up with that word on her own. “It’s a not nice word some people use to be mean. I don’t want you to use that word.”

“Why would she call you that?”

“Because some people like to be mean,” Adrien said.

“Am I a freak?”

“No, you’re a nice young man.”

“Is it because you’re gay? I want to be gay. Then I can have a boyfriend,” Kyle said. “Like you and Daddy Gerry.”

“When you’re bigger, you can figure out for yourself who you love. You can be gay or straight. I’ll love you no matter what.” He tapped the cover of the book. “Start settling down.” When Kyle put the book down, Adrien continued. “I want you to be happy.”

Kyle grinned. “Okay.”

“Were you really good for Nate today?” Adrien asked.

“Yes.”

“Good at school?”

“Yes.” Kyle slapped both hands over his mouth and broke into a fit of giggles. “I didn’t fart at snack like Timmy.”

“That’s good. You shouldn’t pass gas in public.”Ah, the joys of having a little man.“Read your book and I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.”

“’Night, Daddy.” Kyle opened his book. He talked to himself and told a story only he knew.

Smart kid.Adrien left the room. He might not have been the best parent, but he’d done a decent job with Kyle. “I’ll send Nate in.” He pointed to his manny. “Your turn. He’s full of questions.”

“He’s always that way. Get him to open up and he never stops.” Nathan laughed and breezed into Kyle’s room.

Adrien returned to the playroom and picked up the toys. He preferred order over chaos, but he appreciated the controlled disaster his son had created. At least Kyle was happy.

Nathan appeared a moment later. “You’re doing my job.”

“I’m keeping busy.” He closed the toy box. “Sorry.” If he didn’t busy his hands, he’d be grabbing Nathan.

“You’ll have me out of a job,” Nathan said. “But it’ll be worth it. I told you Kyle would come around.”

“You did.” Adrien hesitated. “Now what?”

“I check in on him, but he tends to fall asleep soon after lights out.” Nathan sank onto the arm of the sofa. “I don’t sleep very heavily so I can listen for issues with him. I’ll work on emails or write in my journal, but I don’t do anything exciting.”

“I see.”

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