Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Thomas got some bottle of bourbon he was thrilled about and a season pass for him and Regina for the Field Museum that he loved. I had thought they would get him season tickets for the Bulls—this had been my suggestion when we’d been brainstorming ideas for Father’s Day—but for one, I had no idea how much those cost or about the waiting list, and for two, Regina told us that big crowds weren’t really Thomas’s idea of fun anymore. He preferred his very comfy recliner and watching any game at home where he could get up and get snacks whenever he felt like it. He also very much enjoyed watching all sports with Tansy.
Recently, Regina and Thomas had gone to the Humane Society and adopted a twelve-year-old cream-colored long-haired Dachshund, who was surrendered by her owners because they wanted to get a puppy. Horrible. Giving away members of your family was beyond my understanding. The good news was Tansy was a dream who adored her new people. Regina and Thomas bought her ramps for their bed and the living room couch, and she got around great. Regina, who was out and about every day, was thrilled that Thomas had a companion to keep him constant company.
The places he took that dog had surprised me. No one said a word to him at the museum, the grocery store, or the deli. I was certain some of it had to do with Tansy herself. A cuter, sweeter, more adorable dog I had never met. And she had outfits, of course. There was even one with a beret. I didn’t ask. But perhaps all Kage men had a thing with people not questioning them about their dogs. Whenever Sam was out with Dobby, and carried him into stores, no one questioned my husband either. Though with Sam, I suspected it was his height and muscles more than the adorableness of the dog.
Tansy was at this moment in the backyard with Dobby, checking out all the exciting smells. Chilly was on the chaise on the deck, sleeping as usual.
My food was amazing because Kola cooked. Hannah served the food with much snark but passed Sam tabasco for his chili-cheese everything and didn’t say a word about all of that giving him heartburn. She even brought him an Oreo milkshake.
“I love these,” he told her.
“Yeah, doll, we know.”
He smiled at her then, and she waggled her eyebrows for him.
When Kola came out to sit beside my side of the cardboard car, putting down a folding chair first, I asked him what Harper did for his father.
“He got him season tickets to the Blackhawks, because you know how much Harper’s dad loves hockey.”
“And Jake?”
“He drove to his dad’s place in Wisconsin and took him some fancy heater, flashlight, all-in-one night vision thingy he wanted.”
I squinted at him.
“What?”
“You weren’t listening to exactly what it was he got him, were you?”
“No, sir, I was not,” he confessed, taking a bite of the hamburger he’d carried out with him along with the chair. He had tater tots as well and a bottle of water.
Smiling, I said, “This has been amazing.”
“Thanks,” he replied with a sigh. “We try.”
“I have a question, though.”
“Shoot.”
“Didn’t your aunts and your uncle and your cousins want to spend time with your grandfather? How did you wrangle this time alone?”
“They took him to brunch this morning at that pancake place he loves,” Kola said, turning to give me an evil grin. “We got to skip that.”
“Ohmygod, that’s brilliant,” I praised him.
He cackled softly.
“Your father hates going to a restaurant with a huge group. It gives him hives.”
“It doesn’t give me hives,” Sam chimed in since he was sitting beside me in the makeshift car with Hannah next to him in a folding chair. “I just hate it.”
“Because you hate waiting to eat and you like to leave when you’re done,” Hannah apprised him sweetly. “Plus, small talk does in fact give you hives.”
“I do get itchy,” Sam agreed.
I sighed deeply. “I’m so happy right now.”
“Well, I brought you both a heartburn pill,” Hannah said, passing us both one. “Just to be on the safe side.”
“Excellent thinking,” I replied.
“We need some of those over here,” their grandmother called out.
Hannah, who had more in her apron, rolled over to deliver them.
“Who wants popcorn?” Kola asked us all.
It was the best Father’s Day I could remember. Mostly, having both of my kids home was the best part. Later, in bed, Sam agreed.
For Hannah, having her brother home has let her get back to her candle-making, as she doesn’t feel bad about asking him, Jake, and Harper to help her, but feels like hitting up her father and me is bad.
“Dad works so hard, and so do you,” she told me.
“I don’t care,” I assured her. “This is your magical practice. I want to help.”