Page 48 of He Saved My Boy
His mother pipes in before I can answer, “How about we show himafterdinner? It’s ready, and I don’t want it to get cold.”
His body droops like a wilted flower, but he says, “Okay. Be right back.”
Turning to Teagan, I ask, “Need help with anything?”
“Nope. It’s ready. Mind if we watch a show tonight? I promised Connor if he took a bath earlier, he could stay up and watch a show.”
“I think I can handle that.”
Connor rushes back into the room and quickly puts the three plates Teagan had set out onto the table. Then he zips to the silverware drawer and pulls out three forks. He’s still favoring his arm and keeps it in the position it was in from the cast, but it’s extended further than he could at our last visit, so that’s progress.
When he’s done he looks to me and asks, “You sit here next to me. M’kay?”
“Of course.” Taking my assigned seat, he offers a toothy grin, and my heart squeezes.
So far so good.
When he climbs into the chair beside me, he asks with the most serious expression, “Did you know humans are the only animals with chins?”
Okay. That’s random but adorable, and I can’t help but smile. “I believe I heard that before. But do you know that your nose and ears never stop growing?”
Instantly, his eyes go wide as he reaches for his ear and tugs it. “Really? Like never? Will it grow bigger than my face?”
Oh my, this kid will keep me on my toes. “Naw. It will stay in proportion to your face, I’m sure. At least, I’ve never seen anyone but the BFG have giant ears—but he’s a fictional giant after all.”
His blank expression tells me he doesn’t have a clue, and I’ve clearly gone over his head. Quickly, I explain, “It was one of my favorite books growing up.”
Nodding, he understands. “I love it when Mommy reads me books. I love learning about facts and when she does voices for stories.”
“Your mom’s pretty special,” I admit.
“Yep. She even says she has eyes in the back of her head. But I haven’t seen them, so I think she’s just teasin’.”
Teagan’s beautiful laugh fills the room as she pretends to look stern. “I’ll never tell.”
“My mom always knew everything we did growing up, too. I think it’s their super power.”
“Can your mom tell when you haven’t brushed your teeth?”
Teagan’s smile is wide as she brings the casserole to the table.
“Yep. They always know. It’s best to do it and get it over with. My mom could also tell which one of the kids took showers, too.”
Suddenly, he looks me over from head to toe in disbelief. “You didn’t like showers?”
“At your age—maybe. But now I love them.”
“Okay, boys. Let’s dish up and start eating—or we won’t get to watch a movie before bed.”
About thirty minutes later, the kitchen is clean, and we’re settling on the couch. Once again, Connor insists on sitting next to me. Well, between Teagan and myself. As time has passed, my nerves settle, and I’ve relaxed. Even though this is entirely out of my wheelhouse, being with them just feels right.
We’ve settled in to watchEncanto. Apparently, this is a new favorite of Connor’s, and I can see why. Even as an adult, I’m pulled in from the start. But what makes the movie for me is when Connor and Teagan sing along with the lyrics. Connor wiggles his body between us along to the music.
It’s so endearing, I wish the music would never stop. They’re adorable together and have many of the same traits. Expressive eyes, beautiful smiles, and sing in complete abandon as if they’re the ones putting on the show at times.
And I can’t get enough.
Eventually, he settles into my side. To give him more room, I rest my arm on the back of the couch. Not only does it allow him to settle further, but my fingers can run through the hair at the back of Teagan’s neck. Even a simple touch as this excites me, yet somehow grounds me at the same time. Even though this is entirely new for me, it somehow just feels right.
