Page 79 of Baby Boy

After he handed Avery his sippy cup and set the snack plate on the coffee table, Jace went to the front entry where he’d hung Avery’s backpack. He pulled out the papers he’d need so he could figure out Avery’s financial situation.

He settled on the couch and pulled his laptop to him. He’d start with a spreadsheet and figure out what he could do for Avery.

Twenty minutes later, Jace frowned as he rechecked his work. He glanced over to where Avery was still playing on the rug. His boy had built almost the entire zoo, so instead of bothering him, Jace opened the bank statements that Avery had told him that he hadn’t even checked. Not having any money, Avery didn’t think it was important to balance his statements. Jace would either show Avery what to do or do it himself. He’d prefer to just handle it, so that was what he’d do for now.

Another half an hour, and Jace stretched his back as he moved his laptop and Avery’s papers aside. He stood, then rolled his shoulders.

Avery peered up at him when Jace crouched next to him. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hello, my precious boy,” Jace said. He rubbed his hand over Avery’s bottom.

“Daddy!” Avery wiggled and laughed.

He didn’t feel any difference in the diaper, so his boy was still dry. “How’re you doing?”

“Good, Daddy.” He held up one of the new panda bears that Jace had found online. “I like my new toys.”

“I’m glad,” Jace told him. “But can you come up here and talk to me for a minute?”

Avery gently set his panda down and bit his lip. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, baby,” Jace assured him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Okay.” Avery knelt before standing.

Jace held his hand as they walked to the couch. He pulled Avery onto his lap before he picked up the latest bank statement.

“Do you remember when you told me that you had money taken out of your checking account and put into your savings every week?” Jace asked.

“Yes, the account manager at the bank suggested that I have the savings account in case I overdraft my account and don’t get charged all the fees.”

“And how much are you putting into savings a week?” Jace asked.

“Two hundred a month,” Avery told him.

“No, baby boy, you’re putting in two hundred aweek,” Jace explained. He’d already figured out where Avery was miscalculating.

“A week?” Avery repeated.

“Avery, you have thousands of dollars in your savings account. From a couple of years. You have plenty of money to pay for a full-tuition semester and your bills. You have even fewer bills than I figured.”

“I have extra money?” Avery sounded so hopeful.

“Baby, you’ve been working hard for years. You’ve done an amazing job saving money.”

“I can work less?” Avery asked.

“Yes.”And thank God for that.

Avery sat on Jace’s lap and chewed on his lip. Jace gave his boy the time he needed to work through his thoughts. Finally, Avery looked up at him.

“And I can go to school full-time next semester?” Avery asked. “Cuz I wouldn’t be able to work as much if I go to school more.”

“That’s why we’re going to make a budget for you,” Jace said. “That way you can go ahead and enroll for next semester and have your bills covered for that time. As you work less, we’ll make sure you have plenty left in savings.”

Avery nodded slowly, but he still appeared unsure.

“Do you want to look at my spreadsheet? To see for yourself?” Jace offered.

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