Page 29 of His Last Chase

He almost called me Daddy.

“I love it. It’s perfect.”

Chase hugged me and then hurried off to clean up his toys.

Chapter Seven

Chase

Holy cow, I almost called him Daddy.

It was one thing to call David that but the meaning with Casey was completely different. It heldweight and a deeper meaning and with David it was more of an acknowledgment of his role and my respect for it. Casey was so sad when I caught myself and quickly corrected to use his name.

Should I have called him Daddy?

My mom used to hang up every silly thing I made. She would smile and move the pictures around to make them fit and slide them into place just like a puzzle. The entire front of the fridge was covered in my hideous colorings and popsicle stick collages. Not a day went by that I didn’t miss her. She was the best.

After her death, no more art went up.

No more toys were bought.

No more playtime was to be had.

Now, Casey was giving me a piece of my childhood back and I warred with myself over it. Why was it so hard to let go?

“What’s got you so deep in thought, Chase?”

When had a plate of food been slid in front of me?

“I love spaghetti.”That’s what you came up with for a response? Really? And to think, you write songs for a living. That reply was anything but waxing poetic.

“Did you have fun coloring?”

“Yes,” I whispered, staring blankly at my plate.

“Chase, it’s okay to want these things. There’s nothing wrong with it or with you.”

I glanced up at Spidey, still perched where I’d placed him. I bet he’d have fun playing with my new stuffies and my other Spidey.

“Is the spaghetti not to your liking?” Casey’s voice pulled me out of whatever alternate universe I’d squirreled off in.

“I love ‘sketti.”

Who said that?

“Good. I probably should’ve asked about food allergies first. Do you have any?” I shook my head. “Dislikes?”

“Brussel sprouts. They’re yucky”

Casey grinned. “Good to know. We’ve got ice cream for dessert if you finish all your dinner.”

“Ice cream?”

“Yes, sweet boy, so eat up.”

I shoveled in a few bites before he spoke again.

“So, Chase, tell me what life on the road is like?” Casey asked.

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