Chapter 4 Chuck #2
As we pulled into a parking space his mood brightened once again, and his head bobbed from side to side, taking in the bustling activity along the street.
When we came through yesterday afternoon the sun was setting and we just popped in long enough to hit the grocery store then headed straight to the cabin.
Now, in the daylight, it was quite the sight to take in.
Cute shops lined the street, and colorful hearts and streamers hung from most of the windows in celebration of Valentine’s Day tomorrow.
Shoot, should I have waited until then to ask Tae?
Too late now and honestly, too cliché.
Tae insisted we stop in every shop, including the hardware store. He didn’t buy anything there but stated it was a Daddy store, so his Daddy had to see it. Silly, thoughtful boy.
In the general store, we picked out a few trinkets for home, Momma, and his brothers. Of course, given how rare Tae’s and Samian’s names were, nothing personalized was available, but he did snag a few other things he knew they’d like.
“I think my little fiancé needs a rough and rugged cabin bear.” The cutest bear in a red and black checked flannel caught my eye. “What do you think?”
“Daddy, he’s so cute. He needs to come home with us,” Tae cuddled him tight. “I’ll call him LJ.”
“LJ?”
“Yep, for Lumberjack. Look Daddy, he even has a tiny stuffy axe in his paw.”
“Huh, guess he does.” Not proportionately correct, but I’d keep that to myself.
It was a toy, after all. Tae wandered off again and while shopping wasn’t my thing, he was enjoying himself and that’s what this trip was about.
I found a couple of cute toys and a new beanie to put together for him to open tomorrow for Valentine’s Day and paid before he made his way back to me.
“There you are, Daddy. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, don’t we need to pay for your stuff?”
“Nope, I already did. Come on, let’s go get lunch. My feet are tired and I wanna sit and people watch.”
Hmm, that was an interesting change. Tae wasn’t a people watching person, but I’d play along and see what my sneaky boy was up to. We stashed our bags in the truck then headed down the street toward the diner we spotted earlier.
“Table for two?” The young kid manning the stand asked as we stepped inside.
“Yes please, by the window if possible.” I can play into this whole ‘people’ watching event. First time one stops and waves, I bet my boy squeals and dives under the table.
The kid led us over to booth along the front then left us to glance over the menus.
“Daddy, did you see anything about an ice-skating rink here?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Afternoon, gentleman. I’m your waitress, Wanda and I’m sorry to say we don’t have an ice rink here.”
“Bummer,” Tae’s bottom lip poked out. I know how much he looked forward to tormenting his Daddy on the frozen menace.
“But we do have really great milk shakes and hot chocolate. Would you like one?”
She said the magic words as Tae’s face perked right up. “Yes, please but hot chocolate, I’m still cold.”
“For you, sir?”
“I’ll have the same and a glass of water for each of us, please.”
“I’ll be right back with that.” I’ll tip her well given demeanor and the way she turned my boy’s sad frown upside down.
“Daddy, can you order for me? I don’t wanna think today, I just wanna people watch.”
“Yes, I can but that’s the second time you’ve mentioned people watching.”
His dramatic sigh was very well rehearsed and performance worthy.
“Do you ever just like, not wanna think and just feel?” Ah, the boy who wanted a break was missing his creative side.
“I know crowds and people usually trigger me but, I dunno,” he shrugged, his eyes poised out the window.
“I guess I’m just hoping something I see will get my mind rolling in the right direction, and with the glass between us… ”
“Sweet, boy.”
“Daddy, I know what you’re gonna say, I’m not supposed to think on this trip. But now,” he held his hand with the ring up, “it’s even more important that I unlock whatever is blocking me.”
Not being able to fix this for him was killing me. “Anything is worth a try, my love. But if us getting married is adding stress we can wait.”
“NO!” he yelled so loudly all heads turned. My boy blushed and whispered, “Sorry.”
“Sweetheart, I do not like the stress you’re putting on yourself. I’ll do anything to make it better, just please, let Daddy know how he can help.”
“See, that’s just the thing, you can’t. This is the one thing only I can fix. Can we please try this, and see?”
“Absolutely.” When I say I’d do anything for my boy, it’s meant in the literal sense.
On that note, we sat in front of that window for hours. Eating, talking, sometimes in silence, but not that angry kind. More, the one of deep thought. But as the sun set, it was time for us to head back to our temporary home.
Tae entered the cabin, went straight to his backpack, and removed his sketch pad and pencil. By the time I got the fire going, he sat cross-legged deep in thought on the couch, steadily scribbling away.
Do I stop him and remind him of our vacation pact?
What would the implication of doing so be, given how fast and furiously he was drawing?
Fuck, there’s no way.
I grabbed a beer from the fridge, slid back into my jacket and hat, and took it outside.
Invisible lines had been drawn, for the first time, and having my hands tied never set well with me.
If I pushed would Tae act out and return to his old ways?
If I let him continue on as he was would our vacation be ruined?
Or was I merely being selfish.
So much for spending the day celebrating our engagement.
Had that triggered Tae in some way?
Without a doubt, the urge to finish his room shoved its way to the front.
Again.