Page 64 of Stolen Kisses

“I’ve justgottastop and pick up a birthday cake for Kenny’s party this afternoon. See you back at my place.”

“No problem. I need to quickly pop into the restaurant to check on some things.”

We go our separate ways, Kenny and me picking up her birthday cake in case Emma’s forgotten or chooses not to make one anymore—not that I’d blame her after the way I treated her. Kenny picks a multi-colored layered cake, reminding me of her unicorn pancakes from this morning. This kid’s going to be hyped up on food coloring by the end of the day, she probably won’t be able to sleep tonight.

Dad pulls in a few minutes behind us, carrying a couple of boxes wrapped in pretty blue paper with silver snowflakes. He winks at me as he places them on the kitchen table.

Kenny comes downstairs, spying the gifts on the table. “Yay, can I open my presents now?”

Dad picks her up. “In a minute, Uncle Theo’s got something he needs to show me in the workshop first.”

Kenny huffs out a frustrated breath. “When am I evergonnaget to open my presents. It’s not fair.” She folds her arms, pouting. Dad and I give each other a half-smile, raising our eyebrows.

I unlock the workshop and turn on the lights, sucking in the familiar smell of raw timber, as DadplacesKenny on her own feet. I pretend to show Dad some of my latest work. “Hey, Munchkin, can you pull that sheet off from over there for me, please?”

She throws her head back in a huff. “Okay.” The sheet slides away, revealingherbirthday present. As her eyes connect with what was hiddenbeneaththe sheet, they grow impossibly wide. Her little mouthformsan O as she registers what it is. Dad and I move closer to her.

“Is this … is this for me?”

I crouch down in front of her. “Yeah. I made it for you. Do you like it?”

Kenny leaps at me. “I love it! I love it so much. Thank you. I always wanted ahouse for my dollies.” Her little arms tighten around my neck as she kisses my face all over. I laugh at her excited appreciation.

“Do you want me to show you all the different parts?”

Kenny looks bewildered by the gift, but she still manages to nod. Dad runs his hand over the surface. “This is a beautiful piece, Son.”

His words fill a place inside of me that’s always wanted to make him proud. Something I could never do at the restaurant. It was never for me. I spend the next few minutes showing Kenny how the whole front of the house opens so she has complete access to every room inside. Internal doors open and close, while the roof opens to allow for access to the top floor. I even attached battery-operated lights to the ceiling of each room.

“This is better than any of the houses I’ve seen at the toy store. Thank you, Uncle Theo. It’s the best.” She almost knocks me on my ass as she throws her little body at me.

“Let’s take it up to the house.” I built it on wheels, so it’s easy to move around. She can play with it inside or on the back deck if it’s a nice day.

We situate it on the back deck for today and Dad gives Kenny his gifts. She opens the larger boxes, to find several smalleronesinside. As Kenny opens each one, she begins furnishing some of the rooms. She’s in her element, designing the layouts of the different living spaces; moving between inside and the deck to draw pictures to hang on the walls, finding odd bits and pieces she can use to add decorative touches to each room.

“Uncle Theo,Pappoús. Look how pretty my house looks!” She grasps my hand, pulling me closer to inspect her work. She’s got quite the eye for design.

“This looks great, Munchkin. Maybe you could help me choose some things to decorate inside our house.”

Her little face lights up with a gorgeous smile. “Really? You’d let me help?”

“For sure. I like what you’ve done with your dolls’ house. You could make our house look a lot better.”

Kenny wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing me tight. “It will be so much fun! I can’t wait. Can we go to the store now?”

“Not right now.Pappoúsand I have to get ready for your party. Remember, Austin and Lachlan are coming over to celebrate with you.”

“Okay. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Maybe. We’ll see how the day works out.” I’ve learned that I shouldn’t commit to something one hundred percent unless I’m sure I can follow through. “Now, I have to get organized. You play here withPappoúsfor a while.”

“Okay.” She drags Dad closer to her house and I leave them to spend some time together, alone.

* * *

I’m putting the finishing touches onthe cupcakes I baked when there’s a knock at the front door. I throw everything in the sink and make my way toward the front of the house. I draw in a deep breath, fortifying myself to lay eyes on Emma for the first time in two weeks. I’m not surprised she came thisafternoon,she’s a good person and I don’t think she’d intentionally let Kenny down. I’ll put the birthday cake I bought this morning in the freezer for another time.

Opening the door, I steady myself. My eyes land on Austin and Lachlan with huge grins standing on my front porch, no Emma. My heart sinks to my feet. Anger and hurt on Kenny’s behalf overwhelms me and I have to swallow it down. It’s not the boys’fault their mother’s not here. The blame forthat landssolely at my feet. I open the screen door wide and stand to the side. “Hiya, boys. Come in. Kenny’s out the back on the deck.”

---