Page 19 of Kiren

My arms over his shoulders, I hugged him to me. “Right now, baby.”

“Tell me where to begin.”

“Do you want to change into any of the clothes you brought?”

“Mmm, maybe later.”

“We’ll start slow, then.” I also intended to show him the basement, but later. “Show me your cars.”

“Okay.”

He went to where they sat on the coffee table, then took them out of the storage pack one by one. We examined each one in detail.

After that, I got out my own coloring books.

“You have coloring books?”

“Yes. Look.” Mine were adult, with complicated designs. I had felt pens I preferred to use while coloring them in.

He was amazed as he looked through my book. “These are beautiful.”

He showed me his. Firetrucks and cars. Animals. Fantasy dragons and unicorns. “I don’t always stay in the lines like you,” he said, sitting back.

“You don’t have to stay in the lines. Art is art.”

Together, we colored. I turned on cartoons for background. He relaxed into this first scene beautifully. I was proud of the way he had been forthcoming, showing me everything in his bag. I could tell he’d been nervous, but all that receded.

I had filled my fridge and cupboards from an early morning shopping trip, preparing for our meals. With plenty of food on hand, I fixed us lunch of cold cut sandwiches, fruit and chips. I offered him juice in a sippy cup which he grabbed right away.

“I have a sippy cup at home,” he said. “I forgot it.”

“Don’t worry. I have plenty.”

I tied Kiren’s bib on him and he didn’t protest

“Let’s eat in the dining room.”

“Okay.” Kiren got up and followed me to where I’d set the table for two. I lit the candles I’d put there. With the cold outside and the warmth within, it looked very romantic.

But Kiren shied when I struck the long match. He watched with big eyes as the candles flickered.

“Aren’t they pretty?” I asked.

“They make me afraid, Daddy. Don’t you have battery powered ones?”

“No. But I can make sure I get some.” I walked around the table blowing them all out. “There, is that better?”

He hung his head. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m a good boy. I don’t play with fire.”

Kiren hadn’t wanted a fire in the fireplace, either. I suspected a deeper story there, but I’d be patient. He would tell me when he wanted me to know.

“Don’t be sorry, baby. I want you to speak up if there is ever anything you don’t like.”

His face softened as he sat back in his chair, the bib crinkling. “I like most everything.”

“Glad to hear it.” Not a complainer, then. I’d had those. The easy criers. They could be sweet, but also frustrating if I got to feeling I wasn’t doing my own part right. In daddy/little kink, compatibility was key.

After lunch, I decided Kiren might be ready to see more of my own personal world.

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