Page 31 of From the Flames
“We had cereal,” Grant said with a smile, leaning against Kevin like he was a great big muscly pillow. April sat on the other side of him, her hand on Kevin’s arm as she watched.
“Okay, then…,” Willy said softly, leaving them to their television watching. All three dogs followed him into the kitchen, and he filled their water dishes. “Did you feed the dogs?”
“Yes,” Kevin answered, so Willy gave them all pets and set about making an egg sandwich for himself. But it seemed Kevin wanted one as well, and Willy was smart enough to make him two, because he ended up sharing with the kids, who adored thethings. It was so cute as Kevin held the sandwich and each kid took a careful bite. Damn it all, he could fall in love with the man just for how he cared for his children.
Willy brought each of the kids a juice box and then settled in the chair for his breakfast. He had three dogs all positioned around him, tails wagging as they watched every bite he took.
“They’re better than any vacuum cleaner ever made,” Kevin said as he finished his breakfast and set the plate on the coffee table.
Willy had things to do, so once he finished eating, he left them to their movie and took a few minutes to change the bedding for all of them and get the dirty sheets in the washing machine.
Once the movie was over, so was the reprieve. The kids went out to play in the yard as Willy did his best to finish his Sunday chores.
“What are you doing?” Kevin asked from right behind him.
“Loading the dishwasher.”
“I think I like you like this,” Kevin whispered. He ran his hand down Willy’s arm before lightly squeezing his butt.
“I bet you do. But you aren’t up for anything athletic yet.” Willy straightened and turned around. “And if I’m honest, I don’t dream of having sex in the kitchen. It just doesn’t do it for me.” He smirked. “Now, if you can figure a way for us to sneak away… I always dreamed of… well, under the stars has been a real fantasy for me.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can do,” Kevin said and then coughed hard. “Shit.”
“Uncle Kevin said a bad word,” Grant called from the back door. “Are you going to wash his mouth out with soap? That’s what a lady on television did.” He looked so danged cute, yet Willy knew he was full of mischief.
“How about a swear jar?” Willy offered. He had dreams about what Kevin did with his tongue, and none of it had anything to do with soap. “Whenever someone says a swear, they have to put a dollar in….” He opened the cupboard and pulled down a plastic container. “This.” He opened the lid and held it out to Kevin. Grant crowed as Kevin put in a dollar, and then Willy closed it. “Go back outside.”
“But I wanna listen for more swears.”
“Scoot,” Willy told him, and Grant went out to play. “You know he’s going to listen to everything, and he’ll make you pay.”
“What will you use the swear jar money for?” Kevin asked. “I vote for beer, since I’ll be the one paying. I just know it.”
“Nope. I’m thinking ice cream this summer when it really starts getting hot. That seems fair to me.” He went back to his chores, and Kevin sat down. “You’re watching my butt, aren’t you?”
“You said a swear.” And just like a Grant-in-the-box, he was back.
“No, I didn’t.Buttis not a swear. Now go sit on your butt outside or you can go upstairs and take a nap.”
Grant’s shoulders sagged as he returned to the backyard.
“Man, you’re strict.”
“There are real swear words, and I am not paying a buck every time I saybutt. Now the other word is another thing. And we can say that all we want once we’re in my bedroom and the door is closed. In fact, the swear jar is off once the bedroom door closes.” Willy closed the dishwasher and started it.
“You’re still tired.”
“Yeah, I am. At least you didn’t hog the bed last night. Your dog did that.” He yawned and sat at the table with his second cup of coffee. Willy really needed something to wake him up.
“How about I get one of the Lego sets and Grant and I can put it together? That will give him something fun to do. Andmaybe you can do something with April.” That sounded fine to him.
“DADDY,” GRANTsaid as he and April come in from the backyard. They’d had a tea party on the patio, and April was happily carrying her dolls. “Kevin is sleeping.” He sat at the coffee table with all the blocks in a huge pile, making something with great concentration. “I was being quiet.”
“That’s awesome. Thank you,” Willy said and let Grant play. He wondered if Kevin was playing possum, but he went over and straightened the blanket. Sleep was the best thing for him, and Grant was playing fine on his own. Willy motioned Grant over. “What do you want for lunch?”
“Cheesy sandwiches,” Grant said, and April nodded her agreement, so grilled cheese it was.
“Go ask Kevin if he wants one too. But do it quietly.”
