Page 22 of Mister Mom

“Let me show you.” Vance positions his hand under Payne’s arm and helps him up. “Ready?” Vance asks Payne.

Payne nods enthusiastically.

Vance presses the buttons on the machine, arranging the crane. “What do you think, Payne? Back further?” Vance asks.

Payne moves to the side and I doubt he even really knows what he’s talking about. “Back.”

Vance presses the button and the crane hardly moves. He looks back at me and winks. Giddiness floods my stomach and I almost want to press my face against the glass like Payne’s. Can he get the poop emoji?

“It’s piled in there pretty good,” I say.

Vance and Payne’s heads whip in my direction and I back up with my hands in the air.

“No doubters allowed.” Vance turns to Payne. “Close your eyes when we press the button, okay?”

Payne nods his head up and down. “Can I press it?”

“Sure.” Vance holds out his arm, allowing Payne to squeeze between the machine and his chest. “One. Two. Close your eyes.”

Payne giggles. Actually giggles as his finger hovers over the button.

“Three.”

Payne presses the button and what feels like pride races through me because he actually listened to someone else’s instructions. Most days, he would have probably just pressed the button on one.

I watch the crane fall down with child-like excitement.

“Layla, tell us what’s happening,” Vance says, his gorgeous caramel eyes hidden under his eyelids.

“The crane is going down… it’s widening now and falling into the stuffed animals.”

“Cross your fingers, Payne.” Vance holds up his own hands with his fingers crossed. Payne does the same thing, although he struggles with getting the middle finger over the pointer. “Keep going,” Vance urges.

“It’s pulling back up now. Seriously?” The poop emoji is in the grasp of the crane.

“What? What is it, Mommy?” Payne must actually have his eyes shut. Unbelievable.

The stuffed animal drops into the toy compartment.

“Open your eyes and look in the drop area.”

Payne bends down and digs his hand into the drop box.

Vance opens his eyes, looking to me first, silently asking me if they won. I keep my expression as neutral as possible.

“You’re awesome.” Payne holds up the poop emoji and Vance picks him up, spinning him around the small restaurant.

“Nah, you’re awesome. You pressed the button.”

Payne smiles over at me, holding the stuffed animal in his hands.

“Now it’s time to eat,” I say.

“No. Let’s do it again,” Payne whines and I sigh. I knew this new attitude of his would be short-lived.

“You need to refuel first.” Vance drops him to the ground and holds his arm out toward the table.

I stand there, watching the two of them venture off to the table. Payne slides into my side of the booth while Vance sits on his own. They’re talking about emojis and which one is their favorite. My eyes won’t turn away but my feet won’t move either.

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