Page 50 of Kiren

“I can’t wait!”

That night, Kiren helped me get out the tree stand from the garage and set it up. We also carried in all the boxes of ornaments I had from years in the past where I went all-out for kink Christmas parties.

“Does this mean you’re spending Christmas with me, baby?” I asked.

“Does this mean you’re inviting me?”

“Yes.”

“Yay,” he cheered. He ran in a circle around me. “I want to. I want to.” When he stopped, he said in a more sober voice. “My parents will be out of town.”

“Yes. I know.”

“I was just going to order a turkey dinner from one of the restaurants to be delivered.”

“Is that what you want? A turkey dinner?”

Kiren nodded. “Turkey is good.”

“Then we’ll have that. I may need to get some things on order. I’m not always the best cook.”

“Can we have pie?”

“Of course.” I tweaked his nose. “With whipped cream.”

He clapped his hands.

“Now that we’ve gotten everything out for the tree, how about some dinner?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“We can go out or I have some things here. Mac ‘n cheese. Chicken nuggets.”

“I want those,” Kiren said, laughing. “I want my sippy cup and ice cream, too.” He paused. “You’re not going to make a salad, are you? I don’t want salad.”

“Well, seeing as how I’d have to go to the store for fresh lettuce, you’re off the hook. But I’m your daddy and I will make sure you get your fruits and vegetables like a good boy.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Kiren was hungry. He ate everything on his plate and asked for seconds. I’d doubled up on the mac ‘n cheese because I loved it, too, with lots of pepper. I skipped the nuggets but made myself a nice sandwich of cold cuts. I made sure we always had those. And ice cream.

After dinner, Kiren got out his coloring books. He started talking baby talk. He stopped coloring, went and got Brobear,then sat in my lap and asked for a Christmas movie. We watchedMiracle on 34thStreet.

“How’d you know that’s one of my favorites?” I asked him.

“I didn’t. But I love it. The old one with Natalie Wood. Thank you for finding it to stream, Daddy.”

I sipped cider. He had apple juice. Halfway through the movie, I paused it and made us a big bowl of popcorn with butter.

When it was over, Kiren hugged me. “Santa is real, Daddy. The movie says so.”

“I suppose a move like that can’t be wrong. I mean, the North Pole is real. And reindeer are real.”

“Why not? Why not flying reindeer, and toy-making elves, too.”

We both laughed.

“Are you sleepy yet?”

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