Page 28 of Sean
Chapter 7
The next morning, Seanfound himself circling the parking lot at the high school gym.The place was packed with vehicles in all sizes and colors.If the fact that he couldn’t find an empty spot was any gauge, he’d have to brand Monica’s event a resounding success.
“Da Da Da.”
The squeals from the back seat drew Sean’s gaze to his rearview mirror.
Jace’s blue eyes met his in the reflection of the second mirror that hung from the seat’s headrest.The boy pulled at the restraints with one hand while the other waved a sippy cup like someone with a flag signaling the start of a race.
“Da Da Da.”
“Hang on, buddy, we’ll get out in a minute.”
Jace sent his sippy cup flying into the floorboard as his face crumpled in frustration.
Sean had just a second to imagine the carpet behind the passenger seat sticky with apple juice before brake lights five cars up the row flashed to life.Someone was about to vacate a parking space.He stopped to wait while frowning at Jace in the mirror.“You better hope that lid stayed on, little man.”He tapped his fingers on the wheel while the huge black SUV backed out and drove away.After sliding into the spot, Sean killed the engine and hurried around to the rear passenger side door.The cup was retrieved with a sigh of relief.It was, thankfully, empty with the lid still firmly attached.
Jace’s impatience quickly turned to giggles.He had the drill down pat.No motion plus Daddy at the door equaled impending freedom.The little boy stretched forward, hands grasping at the air.
Sean handed Jace his empty cup.“Just a second.Let me get the stroller out.”He closed the door, shaking his head when his son’s face screwed up in a mighty wail.Sometimes he wished he could clone himself like he’d seen in an old Michael Keaton movie.Instead, he was sentenced to the role of Mr.Mom, another Keaton classic.
He pulled the lightweight stroller out of the trunk and depressed the levers that released the wheels.Those were funny movies, but life wasn’t a movie.Grief was a part of the hand he’d been dealt, but if he said he wasn’t worried about what this single-parent gig would do to Jace, he’d be lying.
Sean hoped he wouldn’t ruin his son’s life too much.Given his upbringing and his time in the ministry, it didn’t surprise him when a verse from Proverbs popped into his head.‘Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Are you living the example you want your son to follow?
Sean recognized the voice.He still believed in God even if he wasn’t speaking to Him right now.Deciding to think about that later, he focused on the task at hand.
Once he got Jace into the stroller, the backpack stored beneath, he headed for the front door.
He hadn’t planned to return to the school today.Craft shows weren’t anywhere on his list of fun things to do with a baby.But Thanksgiving was less than a week away.Mom had been doing so much babysitting while he delivered food that he needed to do something extra nice for her.He figured he could find a holiday centerpiece and support Monica at the same time.
Not that he was here to see Monica, but knowing that he probably would, quickened his step.Her ready smile and blue eyes exuded a warmth he was finding it harder and harder to resist.
He reached the door, pulled it open, and stepped out of the way.A couple of smiling women followed by two gloomy men exited the building.
One of the men lifted a large bag.“Do we need a fifth quilt?”
“We will once I pick out the paint for the bedroom.”
The other man shifted his packages and patted the first man’s back.“Another Saturday down the honey-do drain for you.”
The second woman thanked Sean before smiling over her shoulder.“Don’t be snide, dear.I bought paint last week.”She lifted an arrangement of white and purple roses.“Why do you think I wanted these?”
