Page 8 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
“I love that name! It is so perfect for her with her long soft ears.”
“She hated it. Said it was a dumb name.”
I’m pretty sure I know who she is. “It doesn’t matter what other people think. This is your bunny and you get to give her the name that means the most to you. Other people can buy their own bunnies and name them what they want.”
He looks at me and nods as he strokes the satin ear.
“Which book should we start with?”
“We could read the new one first, then read all the others and read the new one again at the end.” He looks hopeful.
“Tell me this, Aaron. Do you know your bedtime?”
“Yes.”
“Can you look at your clock and tell me what time your bedtime is?”
He looks at the clock on the wall. “When the little red hand is on the eight and the long blue one is on the twelve.”
“Okay, so that would be eight o’clock. Going to bed at a regular time keeps us healthy. So, we only have fifteen minutes. We won’t be able to read all these books tonight. But I’ll make you a deal. You pick out two books for tonight and if your dad says it’s okay. I’ll come over tomorrow after I get off work and read you the rest.”
“I get to see you again?”
“If your dad says it’s okay. If not tomorrow, because I don’t know your dad’s work schedule, then when he says it’s okay.”
“Dad works tomorrow. Mrs. Ellis comes. She doesn’t like to read books. She likes to watch TV. Some of the shows I can’t watch so I have to come in here to play.”
“We’ll just have to ask your dad if I can come and play with you for a while.”
“But what if I’m asleep when Dad is done?”
“I promise to talk to your dad on your behalf.”
“Which half?”
I laugh. “The word behalf, means to convince him for your benefit. An example would be you want to go for pizza. I would talk to your dad and say that it would be very nice if we could all go for pizza.”
“Would you behalf that for me too? It would be very nice if we all went for pizza.”
“Oh, such a clever boy. Let’s read before your time is up.”
He nods.
We finish two books only five minutes after bedtime. I send him to the bathroom, he returns, flipping on his night lamp and shutting off the overhead light before cuddling into his bed. “Will you lay down with me. I’ll fall asleep quicker.”
“If you’d like.” I lay on my side behind him and place my hand on his upper arm. He snuggles back into me. Warmth fills me. Does Alex know how lucky he is to have such a sweet, precious son? Too many people take their children for granted.
“Good night, Miss Thea. Sleep tight.”
“Good night, Aaron. You sleep tight, too.”
It’s another fifteen minutes before the door slides open, the light from the hall illuminating the room and silhouetting Alex. I crawl from the bed, grab my shoes and walk out. I hear the bed creak under his weight the gentle drone of his voice before I make it down the hall.
Officer Davis is waiting. “Ms. Renault. I’d like to ask you a couple questions, please.”
“Certainly.” I glance at his shoulder. “I assume this is being recorded?”
“Yes ma’am, I was just going to tell you.”
