Page 2 of Defending A Promise
I watch him in his little lizard pajamas dart out of my room and back down the hall towards the kitchen.
Smelling the delicious coffee being brewed is my final incentive to get out of bed. It’s going to be a busy week and even though it sounds like a dream, lying in bed all day is not on the agenda. Not with a four-year-old.
Showered and dressed for work, I make my way to the kitchen listening to my son rattle on about all the things he plans on doing when he gets to his new school today. “Morning,” I say as I grab a coffee mug.
“Good morning, sweetheart. I just brewed a new pot.”
I smile, “Thanks, Mom.”
“Mommy. Can I wear my puppy shirt today?”
“If that’s what you want to wear.”
He nods, “It is. I’m gonna wear my fast shoes, too.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
“I know. Aren’t you going to eat Nana’s pancakes?”
“Not right now.”
“I understand. You need your go-go juice.” He holds up his red sippy cup. “I’m drinking my go-go juice, too. See?”
“I see. Want to toast?”
“Yes!”
“What should we toast to?”
“To school.”
I hold my coffee mug up to his sippy cup, “To a great first day of school.” He smashes his cup against mine, but I’m prepared for it, so it doesn’t splash hot coffee on my hands. Everything my son does, he does with everything he’s got in him.
“Yay!”
“Are you all done with breakfast?”
He gives me a hard nod.
“Okay, then. Go get cleaned up and get dressed. I’ll be there in a minute to help you.”
“’kay. Thanks, Nana.” He climbs out of his booster seat and runs back down the hallway to his room – his uncle’s childhood room.
“You’re welcome,” Mom calls after him, but neither of us thinks he heard her. “I’m so glad you two are here. Nicholas has breathed life back into this house. It’s been a long time since there was a little boy running around this place.” Her smiling face lets me breathe a bit easier knowing she’s talking about River who’s been gone for over five years now.
“Thank you again for taking us in. I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Riley, you can always come home. Always. Your father and I love you and Nicholas more than you’ll ever know.”
I tilt my head, “I don’t doubt that, Mom. I love Nicholas more than I ever thought possible.”
She gives me a small smile, “You’re right. You do know, don’t you? Well, times that by ten because having a grandchild is pretty special.”
“We love you, too.” I sip my coffee. “Where’s Dad today?”
“He’s down at the travel agency finalizing our plans for our trip this Saturday.” Her face lights up. “I cannot wait to go. Are you sure you and Nicholas will be okay on your own?”
“Yes, Mom. We’ll be fine. I want you and Dad to go on the trip of a lifetime and not even think about us. Just enjoy yourselves. A thirty-fifth wedding anniversary doesn’t come along very often. Neither does a three-week European cruise. Go and have a blast. You both deserve it.”
