Page 56 of Gideon's Gratitude

“When are you coming home?” Her tone was plaintive.

“Not for a while. You remember what we said? I’m doing something really important.” Another catch.

I placed my hand on his thigh to stop the jiggling.

“I miss you, though.” He swallowed hard.

“I miss you too. I want you home.”

“I wish I could, Melodie, I really wish I could.” He swallowed. “Is Trevor there?”

“Trev, Daddy’s here.” A long pause. “He’s busy playing with his trucks.”

“That’s okay.” Clearly it wasn’t.

I wanted to reach across the line and grab Leo. The man should help with this, not leave it up to the six-year-old.

“He’s here.”

Gideon’s face lit. “Hey, little man, how are you?”

“Bored. Gonna go play.”

“Can you stay just a minute? What are you playing with these days?”

The desperation pulled at me. Staying out of view, I leaned over and hit a few keystrokes.

Laughter erupted from the kids.

“Daddy, so funny.” Melodie’s voice rang clear.

“Daddy, funny bunny ears,” Trevor chimed in.

“Make silly faces.” I whispered the words.

Gideon did as instructed.

Every fifteen seconds, I changed the graphics.

“Papa, come see. Daddy’s a potato head.” More squeals.

Gideon stiffened.

I strained as best I could, ensuring I didn’t go within camera range.

The man whose face I glimpsed was good looking. As good as myself. The man’s eyes were green. And dead looking.

“Hello, Leo.” Barely a whisper.

“You look ridiculous.”

I switched off the graphics.

“I was just trying to make it fun for the kids.”

“Well, the kids are about to have their after-school snacks.”

“But Papa, I want to see more of Daddy.”

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