Page 36 of Trusting You

“You be careful tonight, ok?” Mom called as I checked my reflection one last time.

“I will,” I called back.

“And if Brooklyn gets to be too much, you make sure you bring him home,” her voice filtered through the air.

“Yes, Mom,” I sighed.

“I’m just trying to help,” her head popped around the corner of my door. Brooklyn was happily playing on the floor with a toy car, oblivious to the battle of wills he was witnessing.

“I know, and I appreciate it, but I know how to take care of my son,” I smiled as I swiped my lip gloss one last time, and tucked it into my purse. I knew Mom was just trying to help, but I needed her to back off. We’d been arguing more lately, but today seemed to be a good day.

“I just know how he gets when he’s tired,” she muttered as she turned and walked away. I rolled my eyes when her back was facing me. I understood what she was doing, but he was my son. My parents have been a great help since he came into my life, but now that I finally felt like I was getting a hold of this mother thing, I wanted them to back off.

Aaron

When I left Emma’s dorm to go pick up Mel, I never felt so unsure of myself. What was I getting into here? Was I ready to be a dad? If things progressed the way I’d been hoping they would, I’d get a kid as part of the package. I never really thought about what my own father did for me until the last few hours. He gave up his partying days for me. He didn’t really date, and I don’t really remember anyone coming around when I was younger except for Avery. I needed to call him more and come around when he needed me.

The drive back to Mel’s was a short one. I caught all the green lights, and when I parked in front of her house, I was in the driveway this time. I took several deep breaths before opening the door and making the walk to the front door. I hadn’t picked up a date at her parents’ house in years. Most of the girls I met lived on campus, or in an apartment near me. Mel had the typical American household.

I knocked on the door, and waited. I could hear muffled voices from behind the door before it slowly opened. Mr. Brooks was standing there with a stern look on his face. “I only have one rule,” he stared me down as I rocked back on my heels. “Treat her right,” he glanced at Mel before holding his hand out for me to shake.

“I will, Sir,” I nodded as I gripped his hand in a firm handshake. “You ready?” I peeked at her over his shoulder.

She smiled as she reached out to her mother a few steps back. Mrs. Brooks handed over the little boy I’d seen this morning, and Mel thanked her. She stepped around her father before swinging a diaper bag onto her shoulder. “All set. We can get the car seat out of my mom’s car. I didn’t think you would have thought of that.”

“Shit! No,” I cringed as I realized that I’d cursed in front of this little person who would probably repeat what I said.

“Dat naughty,” he scowled as he wagged his chubby finger in my face.

“Sorry,” I pressed my lips together.

“Relax,” Mel soothed as she led the way out the door. Once we got outside she turned toward me. “I don’t expect you to be perfect with him. I know this,” she waved between us, “is a big deal.”

“Un huh,” I breathed out. “The youngest kid in our family is eleven now. I don’t remember what it was like being around a baby,” I followed her over to her mom’s car and lifted the car seat out.

“I not a baby,” Brooklyn scowled.

Geez, I was oh for two with this kid. “I’m sorry little man,” I ruffled his hair as I began buckling the car seat in place. “You’re going to have to teach me.” He burrowed into Mel’s neck and wrapped his arms tighter around her.

“Mama,” he mumbled as he refused to release his iron grip.

“I’ll let you put him in,” I motioned to the seat before opening her door and stepping back to wait. Mel snapped a bunch of buckles together before kissing his forehead and standing back. She smiled as she climbed in the front, and I closed her door.

Once I rounded the front to climb in, I drove us carefully to the steakhouse Emma had told me about.

“You know,” Mel giggled as we were walking in, “you can drive the speed limit. He’ll be fine.”

“Sorry,” I sighed. “I don’t want to do anything that might hurt him.”

“You won’t,” she grinned up at me as I wrapped my arm around her.

When we stepped through the door, the hostess greeted us. “Good evening. Table for three?”

“Yes, thank you,” I placed my hand on Mel’s lower back as I followed the hostess to our table. “Here you go,” she grinned at Brooklyn before turning back to me. “You have a beautiful family.”

“Thanks,” I smiled back. It didn’t scare me like I thought it would when she said it. Two days ago, if you asked me if I would want a kid right now I would have laughed in your face. I’ve been extremely careful over the years to not become a dad. Now, as I watch Mel place Brooklyn in a highchair at the end of the table, it almost feels natural.

I placed the diaper bag on the chair beside Mel, before helping her sit, and then take my own seat.

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