Page 19 of Crow's Haven
Scout isn’t far behind. He walks in and immediately climbs into my lap. For the twin that acts all big and tough, he needs his evening snuggles to wind down.
Sharon begins to read the book Chase picked, her voice soft and feminine. Chase scoots closer and closer until his hand finds hers and stays there.
Suddenly, Scout realizes what the book is about and jolts forward in my lap.
“No raccoon stories,” he declares.
“Let your brother enjoy his story. Then it will be your turn to pick a story.”
He settles back down on my chest, and we listen to Sharon finish the story. By the last page, he’s out cold.
I get up, set Scout aside and carry Chase to his bed, pulling the blanket over him. Sharon watches quietly from the doorway, her arms wrapped around her waist in a protective pose.
We go to Scout’s room, and he hands me his book.
“Okay,” I say. “You sure you want a monster book?”
He gives me a strange look and nods. That’s when I look down and realize it’s about a little monster and his mommy. I freeze in place for a second before I open the book and start to read about how the monster mommy makes his breakfast, lays out his clothes, drives him to school and tucks him in at night—only there are about forty pages of things she does in between.
The book is meant to be humorous, but Scout doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t interrupt either.
When I finish, he mumbles something I almost miss. “She’s not bad. For a girl.”
I smile down at him. “I’ll let her know you’re a fan.”
“Don’t. It’s a secret.” He turns over, hiding the grin he thinks I can’t see.
I put him to bed, pull his blanket up over him and turn off the light. I always leave his door cracked the way he likes it. Sharon’s waiting in the hall, picking at the hem of her sleeve.
“Is Scout okay? Does he always climb into your lap?” she asks.
I nod, “Yeah, that’s as close to affection as it gets with him.”
I hold up the book he just had me read. She takes it from me and skims over the pages. “This is everything.”
I nod, knowing what she means. It feels like a big shift for Scout and his messy feelings.
We head back to the kitchen in comfortable silence. The toys are still scattered across the living room, dishes stacked from dinner. It’s a mess, but it’s a lived-in kind of mess, not one built up from not cleaning for ages.
We clean side by side, unhurried. I wash while she dries. Our shoulders bump sometimes—might be on accident, might not. We keep the conversation light.
“You good?” I ask as we finish up. “Are you sure this isn’t too much for you?”
She shakes her head. “God no. I’m used to hard work.”
“Chase is already a goner for you,” I say. “You had him wrapped around your finger before we left the grocery store.”
“He’s easy,” she says with a small smile. “Scout’s a different beast.”
“He takes time to get to know. Trust isn’t automatic with him.”
She nods. “I don’t mind earning it. I just don’t want to mess it up. I need this job.”
“You won’t,” I assure her. “Just give it some time and keep doing what you’re doing with them. From what I can see, it’s perfect.”
She doesn’t answer right away. She just takes a minute to wipe down the last plate and sets it in the rack. Her hands pause there, fingers still. Then she says, without looking at me, “You laugh with them. You’re patient. Even when Scout’s being… Scout. You’re a good dad.”
“I’ve screwed up plenty,” I admit. “But I try my damnedest to be what they need.”
