Page 14 of Sparrow

“WE SHOULD REALLYdo this more often, Grayson. We always have such a good time.”

I tuck my hands behind my head and rest back against them, the sheet draped over the ‘fun’ she’s currently speaking of.

“You know the deal, Carissa. I’m a one-woman man except on Saturday nights, and speaking of...” I check the time on my phone. “You have to get moving. She’ll be here any minute.

Carissa scoffs. “I won’t be your flavor of the month much longer, Grayson. Even if your cock is magnificent.” She slips her feet back into the heels, which spent a lot of time draped around my ears last night.

“Call you next month?” I say with a shit-eating grin.

That’s how it goes. Carissa, Leslie, Stacey, Rebecca. In that order. Each on a different Saturday of the month. It’s simple, easy, and they all know that’s all I’m capable of, because when the clock strikes noon on Sunday mornings, I’m officially unavailable. My time and attention officially belong to the most important lady in my life.

It took me awhile to actually want to go back out and spend time without Cadence: nearly a year and a half, actually. I felt like I was failing my daughter if I even considered going out. I refused to risk my heart and I absolutely refused to risk hers.

It took constant insistence from my mother for me to actually concede and put myself back out there, but there was a compromise I made with myself.

I would give myself one night a week. Just one. I would have fun, spend time with the opposite sex, should the need arise, and I would keep it casual and physical only. Simple. It’s worked out beautifully ever since.

Once I finally get Carissa out the door, after her many attempts at a morning blow job to bribe me into letting her stick around, I hop in the shower and wash the evening away.

I’m just pulling my shirt on when I hear the most amazing sound in the world.

“Daddy!!!!”

I just barely dodge the blonde bolt of four-year-old lightning that shoots around the corner and into my bedroom.

“Cadence!!” I match her excitement, making her laugh. “Did you have a good time with Mamaw and Papaw?”

“Yep, yep, yep! We made pizza and went to the park and saw the doggies and played with chalk and saw the fountain and swung on the swings...” She goes on and on in a complete run-on sentence about all the fun they had yesterday and last night.

“Sounds like you had the best time.” I bend to kiss the top of her head.

“The bestest, Daddy. That’s even better than the best!”

“Oh well, forgive me. The bestest time.” I laugh.

“Come on.” She takes my hand. “Mamaw is downstairs waiting to say bye.”

We take the stairs down to the main living area, and I catch my mother wiping down my kitchen counters.

“Mom. What are you doing?” I ask, rounding the kitchen island to kiss her temple.

“I’m making myself useful. What does it look like I’m doing?” She has always been fiery.

“It looks like you’re cleaning my already clean kitchen.”

“Oh, shush. No kitchen can be too clean.” She tosses the dish towel into the sink. “I put an entire chicken casserole in the fridge, so you don’t have to cook. Just throw it in the oven for half an hour and it’ll be good to go.”

She does this constantly. I’ve stopped fighting her on it. She likes taking care of us. Who am I to stop her?

“Thank you, Mom. I’ll even wash your pan for you.”

“You’re gosh darn right you will. That’s my good Pyrex. I want it back.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I give her a salute.

“Such a good boy.” She gives my face a pat. “Cadence, I’ve got to go. Come give me a hug.”

My daughter bounces into the room like she’s had fourteen Pixy Sticks.

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