Page 24 of Kit
After cleaning up, which I insisted on doing myself, though he did help clear the table, I gave him a tour.
When we got to my bedroom, he screeched and ran to the bed, diving into it so his whole body hit and bounced twice. Then he sat up. His eyes were big, imploring.
“When do I get to call you Daddy?”
I held out my hands to the room, offering up my space to him. “Right now would be wonderful, sweetheart.”
“Daddy, this is all so amazing. Thank you for sharing it with me. And Christmas, too. I like thinking I’ll wake up with someone on Christmas day instead of alone.”
“Me, too.”
“I’ve never had a daddy at Christmas time. The timing on my dating life was never just right for it. And when I was younger, I flew out to my parents’ house for every holiday.”
“Well, isn’t it good we have each other for company, then.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes!” He hit the bed with both fists.
“Let me show you around.”
“This room, right? Not any old guest room. I’m scared of the dark. At home I have nightlights all over. And my stuffed animals as guards.”
“All right.”
How easily we’d just settled that matter. He would sleep with me. I loved his babyish insistence. Littles could be demanding, and I would only put my foot down if the demands were irresponsible or dangerous. Otherwise, I was the sort of daddy who loved to spoil.
“Oh boy, Daddy. We’ll have so much fun.”
Didn’t I already know it. I’d already adored Kit the first time we met. Now that feeling had increased ten times.
“Daddy? Where’s the bathroom? I have to pee.”
“Come on,” I said gently. “This way.”
It was beginning for us. As natural as earth and water and air. Our connection. The way our chemistry so easily matched.
He had so much energy, excited about the big mirrors, the large glass shower and the fact that I had a separate tub.
“All right, sweetie, here’s the toilet. I’ll just wait outside.”
He looked up at me wide-eyed, serious. “Sometimes I need help with the buttons.”
My, my.
He turned toward me, face very serious. What a good boy.
I put my hands on his waistband. “I’m a pro at undoing buttons.”
He said nothing as he looked down and watched my thumbs and forefingers go down the line of his Levi 501s. His fly parted showing sky blue briefs with little white dogs all over them.
I looked him in the eye and said, “Did you wear those for Daddy?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Because you gave me a real nice dog that I loved. But I lost him.”
I put my hand under his chin and tipped his face up. “I believe you told me it was stolen.”
He scrunched up the side of his face. “It was. Because I set him down and wasn’t looking after him.”
“Oh sweetie, that’s not your fault.”
