Page 18 of Joker
“Good choice! That is the best pasta you will ever taste. Come on, let’s try some.”
Taking the bowl out of the fridge, I warm 2 plates up. Sitting at the breakfast bar, I pick up my knife and fork. Looking over to Beau, I can see him staring at the cutlery.
“You use a knife and fork before?”
Lifting his head to me, he gives me a strange look.
“I have, but usually I have to wait to be told when I can eat. He likes to eat first.”
Rage ripples through me. I have to fight the urge to lose my shit. I’m going to need to watch any angry outbreaks in front of Beau.
“Well, son, here you don’t need to wait. The minute the food’s in front of you, eat. It’s en masse here. You have many uncles who are all going to love you and spoil you, but also they will protect and care for you.”
The most amazing smile lights up his face. Its breathtaking, fuck I’m already a sap for the kid. Knowing he was born from Carrie and me is amazing, but also guts me. I’m devastated I had missed him growing and being born. I’d missed so many firsts, but I need to focus on all the firsts I have to come, especially if he’s not had a normal childhood.
I pull my phone from my pocket, and I text Prez. Hoping the girls haven’t gone to get his stuff yet. I feel this might be a bonding father-son moment. Prez confirms they haven’t, so I let him know I want to take the boy to Target. We would pick out his entire bedroom and kids’ stuff together.
He agrees and lets me know he’s thinking of moving my room to one further down the hall, so it’s away from the noise, but also has an adjoining room so Beau can have his own space. It’s a perfect idea. The prospects would get on with that while we’re out.
Once we’ve finished eating, and Beau is wearing more sauce than is on his plate, which makes me chuckle, I say, “Right then, kid, I’m guessing you don’t really have a lot of stuff?”
He looks down. Christ, this kid is killing me with the sad faces.
“How do you feel about your own room, right next door to mine? We can decorate it and fill it with everything you choose and like?”
His little face lights up, and he looks so excited. Chuckling, I collect our plates and put them in the dishwasher while grabbing a towel to wipe his face. Taking him by the hand, we leave the kitchen and head outside. As we get closer to my truck, I see my Pops and Tank, so I divert to speak with them.
“Who do we have here?” Pops asks with a confused look on his face.
“Yeah, so not really had a chance to fill you both in, but this is Beau, mine and Carrie’s son.”
The shocked look on both their faces makes Beau move behind my legs.
“He’s not had it great. I’ll fill you both in more later, but he’s a little shy and timid.”
Pops is still staring at him, but Tank crouches low and holds his hand out to Beau.
“Hey there pal, I’m your uncle, Tank. You and I are going to be great friends, and we can get into all sorts of mischief.”
Beau moves from behind my legs, and his little fingers run over the string bracelet on Tank’s wrist.
“Scott,” says his little voice.
Holy fucking shit!
Tank falls to his ass on the ground, and Beau jumps into his arms, and he holds him tight. Tank looks up at me with hurt and disbelief on his face.
Carrie had made that bracelet for him when we were kids, and he’s never taken it off. Clearly, Carrie has told our son all about his uncle Scott.
“You know me?” Tank asks slowly.
Beau backs away and returns to hiding behind my legs. I place my hand on his head, hoping to reassure him a little. His head peeks back around my legs, and he nods.
“Momma told me stories from when she was younger and the adventures, she went on with Daddy, Scott, and Johnny. Scott and Johnny are my uncles. You have my uncle’s bracelet, so you must be my uncle,” he confirms in his quiet little voice, shaking like he’s afraid to speak. Beau being afraid to speak and hiding, needs to stop. Tank seems to be in another world as he stares at Beau as if he cannot believe Carrie had told him all about what we got up to.
“Okay, so we’re off to get little dude everything he needs,” I declare.
With my hand on Beau’s shoulder, I start to guide him toward the truck.
