Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Drew looks up, the stress on his face making me want to rub his shoulders and tell him it’s all going to be okay. But I haven’t had a margarita this morning, so I easily resist the urge to touch him inappropriately and settle for a sympathetic smile.
“Sarah Beth wants pancakes,” he explains. “But we only do pancakes once a week, twice at the very most. It’s just too much sugar first thing in the morning.”
“It’s not fair,” Sarah Beth shouts from under the table, a hitch in her voice as she begins to cry harder. “I had to have lasagna last night at Aunty Melissa’s, and I hate it so much. I don’t want to have oatmeal, too. It’s not fair!”
I crouch down, bringing my face nearly level with Sarah Beth’s. “Hey, buddy. I hear you. We all have foods we don’t like and it’s hard when you’re a kid and don’t get to decide what you eat all the time. Why don’t you come out and we can talk about this, see if we can find a compromise.”
“I can have pancakes?” she asks, her tears beginning to slow.
I shake my head. “Nope. Dad said no.” She starts to protest, but I cut in, “And he’s right. It’s not healthy to have pancakes too often. It can make you sick and he loves you so much he doesn’t want you to get sick. Sometimes grown-ups say no because they love you and want to keep you safe. I know that doesn’t always make it easier, but I promise you, your daddy would never make a rule just to be mean. You’re the most important person in the world to him.”
“She’s right,” Drew says in a softer voice. “I love you and want to help you grow up healthy, honey. That’s all. Come out and let’s talk about it. If you really don’t want oatmeal, we can try to find another healthy choice.”
Sarah Beth swipes at her cheeks with her fist. “I like eggs, too. With cheese and toast.”
I smile as I glance Drew’s way out of the corner of my eyes, taking his swift nod as confirmation this compromise is Dad approved. “Well, that sounds like a great idea. I can scramble eggs with cheese and make toast while you have some strawberries, and you’ll have a healthy breakfast that’s also super delicious.”
“You don’t mind making them?” Drew asks softly, glancing at the clock on the wall above the kitchen table. “I’m not sure I have time.”
“Absolutely,” I assure him, standing as Sarah Beth crawls out from under the table. “Not a problem at all. You guys hug and make up and we’ll start the day fresh with no fights in it.”
Sarah Beth goes to Drew, reaching her arms up to him for a hug, whispering, “Sorry, Daddy,” as he scoops her up.
He wraps his arms around her, hugging her tight, closing his eyes as he whispers back, “I’m sorry, too. I’ll try to be better about finding compromises, like Tatum said. I know food can be tricky as a kid sometimes. My mom used to make me eat cabbage every Friday and I hated it so much that sometimes I’d hide in my closet and skip supper altogether. Even when I was really hungry.”
Sarah Beth giggles as she pulls back to pat his beard. “That’s silly, Daddy. Cabbage is delicious.”
Drew pulls a face, sticking out his tongue. “Ew, no. I hate it. No way am I eating cabbage.”
“You have to at Grammy’s house,” she says, gleefully. “She makes everybody eat the vegetables.”
“I guess I’ll have to ask her to compromise next time,” Drew says. “Or find somewhere to hide. Will you help me?”
Sarah laughs again. “Yes, I will. I know all the good places to hide at Grammy’s.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say, a little choked up by the exchange. It was just so sweet, to see them work things out with so much love for each other. “Now, let’s let Daddy get ready for work. I’ll get your berries and start the eggs.”
Drew sets Sarah Beth down. As she crawls into her booster seat at the table, I whisper, “Good job, Dad,” on my way into the kitchen.
His gaze locks with mine. “Thanks to you. How did we manage without you?”
“Not too good sometimes,” Sarah Beth says, making it obvious she can hear our quiet exchange.
Drew and I both laugh, then he mutters, “From the mouths of babes. Anyway, I’m grateful, and so happy we found you.”
“I’m happy I found you guys, too,” I say, my heart breaking a little.
I’ve never felt so torn. One part of me is proud that I’m doing good work for my new boss and his kiddo. The other part of me desperately wishes this had nothing to do with work.
As I prepare Sarah Beth’s breakfast, I fantasize about what it would have been like to have met Drew out in the community, maybe while I was working at a daycare in town or something. I imagine how nice it would have been to get to know him, to earn his trust, and then be introduced to his baby girl as his girlfriend.