Chapter 6
6
“Earth to Jayger?” My coworker, Jack, teased as he knocked on my open office door. “Did I wake you?”
“Funny guy. How can I help you?”
“The bossman just called a meeting. Conference room in ten.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
Had he not come in I’d have likely missed the meeting all together. Daydreaming about a certain little was going to get his new daddy into trouble. I fired off a text to let him know I was thinking about him.
Hello sweet boy, I hope you’re having a great day.
Hi Daddy Jayger! It’s okay, kinda boring but I can’t stop smiling.
What’s made you so happy?
You have.
You say the sweetest things. I have a meeting to get to now, just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.
Me too. TTYL
Good thing I was well versed in the lingo of today’s youth.
As usual, the meeting ran over and by that I meant two hours longer when a simple email would’ve covered everything. Corporate America and their need for meetings to have meetings about meetings. Meanwhile, the rest of us worked a ridiculous amount of overtime to make up for it.
By the time I got home it was so late cooking wasn’t happening. I microwaved leftovers, not the healthiest of choices nor what I’d feed my boy if he were here. But I had to make do at this late hour though my guts might scream later. I had just enough time to eat and shower before I called Trevor. That was the highlight of this shittastic day. Seeing his adorable face and hearing his voice before bed would carry me through tomorrow.
Until we reached the point where we lived together. Then I’d have all the reasons in the world to get home at a decent hour and cook healthy meals. For now, eating alone left a minimal desire to rush home, let alone cook for one.
Was I surprised by this sudden change in me? The longing to be under the same roof, eventually. I should have been concerned. It’d only been three days. That would scare the shit out of any normal human and send them running, yet it rested well with me. Contented even. Now I just had to make it through this week until I got to hold Trevor again come Saturday.
“Daddy Jayger, how was your day?”
His smiling face righted everything in my world when he answered the call. “It’s perfect now that I get to see you. How was your day, sweet boy?”
“Same as always, nothing exciting happens in the life of a janitor.”
“Well now, that just can’t be true. I’m sure you could regale me with stories of chewed gum and lost retainers.” Albeit gross, it was worth the giggle that burst from him.
“Yes, it never fails at least once a week we get stuck digging through the cafeteria trash cans for a retainer. Super gross. Gum isn’t allowed on campus, but we all know how that goes. He rolled his eyes. “But we do find the occasional piece underneath tables and shelves in the library.”
“Alright, I know I started this, but no more work talk. Are you and Bumble ready for bed?”
He held up his beloved stuffie for me to see. “Excellent. Now it’s story time.”
I was happy to see Trevor yawning by the time we’d reached the end.
“Sweet dreams, little bee. Daddy will talk to you tomorrow.”
“Night, Daddy Jayger.”
“I’m your daddy now, so you can drop the Jayger.”
He bolted upright, eyes wide. “You’re keeping me?”
As if he was an old shoe on the verge of being tossed out. “You’re not an object to be kept. You’re a boy who deserves to be treated like a prince. But yes, I’d like for you to be my boy.”
“Your only boy?”
“My only boy for his only daddy.”
More tears. Would I ever get used to this gentle soul? This boy would be pleased with the simplest of things. Reading books, cooking, playing – all things we can and will do together. He just wanted to be loved, and love him, I will.
“Happy tears, I hope?”
“Very happy tears, Daddy.” There was that adorable blush. “Thank you.”
“You never have to thank me for taking care of you. That’s in the Daddy job description.” Another giggle. “Goodnight, sweet boy. Daddy will talk to you tomorrow.”
“Night, Daddy.”
Our new routine flawlessly fell into place. During the days we texted as time allowed and each night I read to my sweet little bee at bedtime. In between, I’d done a bit of online shopping and all Trevor’s gifts were due to arrive by Saturday. I might’ve gone a bit overboard with them, but he was more than worth it.
“Sweet Bee, would you like to sleep over at Daddy’s on Saturday night?” A big ask after only a week, but if I didn’t ask I’d never know. “I have a spare bedroom you’re welcome to.”
“But—but, I want to sleep with you, Daddy.”
“I’d like that too, but didn’t want to assume or make you uncomfortable. Just because we share a bed it doesn’t mean anything has to happen. Understand?”
“Yes, Daddy, and thank you for considering my feelings.”
To every so-called daddy who wronged this boy, I’m gonna line you up one by one and smack the shit out of you.
“Now, what would you like for lunch.” I’d cook a nice dinner for sure, but a littles lunch was in order.
“Mmm.” He thought long and hard. “Corn dogs. Have you ever seen the little ones? They’re so cute. I dip them in mustard and buzz them around cause they’re shaped like bees. Have you ever noticed that?”
“No, I’m afraid I haven’t.” This boy’s happiness was infectious. He spoke with his entire body and sucked you right into his world. “I’ll definitely look for them at the store.” Along with a few other things. It was like I just couldn’t help myself when it came to him.
“Yay! Can I bring Bumble to our sleepover?”
“Always. Anywhere we are Bumble is welcome. Okay, sweet bee, Daddy needs to log out at work and run a couple of errands. I’ll call you tonight for your story.”
“’K Daddy, drive safe.”
I might’ve overdone it at the store. Between corn dogs, pasta, salad and bread for dinner, plus snacks, juice boxes, and a few more goodies I couldn’t resist, the cart was full as was the back of my SUV.
“Good morning, little bee.” I was ready for it this time when Trevor launched himself at me. “Good morning, Lila. How are you this fine morning?”
“Morning, Jayger. I’m doing well, thank you for asking. Trevor mentioned a sleepover?” The cocked mom brow-- was it a warning or I know what happens at these things?
“We are. I have many fun activities planned and there is a giant gift bag sitting atop my dining table for a certain little bee. I wonder who that is?”
Trevor’s eyes widened as he excitedly danced. “I’ve got prezzies?”
“Indeed, you do. Grab Bumble and bring me your bag.”
He ran down the hall, allotting Lila and me a few moments alone.
“Treat him well, that’s all I ask.”
“Lila, that’s an easy promise to make you. Trevor deserves the world, and I intend to give him as much of it as I can.”
My happy little bee came buzzing down the hall, Bumble under one arm and his backpack dangling over the other.
“Here.” I slid it off his shoulder. “Let me help you with that.”
“I can’t believe you still have your old bag, Trevor,” Lila said.
“It still works and it’s not that old. Just from high schoolHe shrugged.
“Alright, we’re off. Lila, you have my number, please don’t hesitate to use it. We’ll only be a quick fifteen minutes away.”
“Thank you, Jayger. You two have fun.”
Trevor gave her a big hug. I adored the relationship they had.
“Bye, Mom.”
“Goodbye, my love.”
“Daddy, Bumble and I are so excited for this weekend.” My happy boy bounced in the seat beside me as we pulled out of the drive.
“Me too. I may have gone a bit silly with all the prezzies, but I just couldn’t stop.”
“Silly Daddy.”
“Question, do you have your driver’s license? I keep opting to pick you up without even asking if you wanted your own vehicle with you. My apologies.”
“No worries, Daddy. I do have my license, but Mom and I only have one car and I don’t like to leave her without one.”
“Such a sweet boy, always thoughtful.”
“I don’t mind you driving if you don’t mind.”
“I do not mind at all. Why don’t you play DJ while I take care of getting us there?”
“Yay!”
What we listened to, I hadn’t a clue, but his delightful serenade, though slightly offkey, was quite entertaining.
The garage opened as we pulled up to the house.
“Oh magic.”
I pointed to the visor. “More like a magic button.”
“Your house is nice with a big front yard. Do you have a dog?”
“I don’t. I work a lot but maybe someday when someone special lives with me we could pick out a dog together that they would help me take care of.” I almost added, “when you live here,” but that was too much too soon and he’d probably run all the way back home. I didn’t dare look at him out of fear my thoughts would give me away.
We pulled into the garage and as the door shut behind us, I grabbed his backpack, then unbelted Trevor.
“I can’t wait to see your house.”
“You mean you can’t wait to see your prezzies,” I teased.
“Maybe both?”
“Come on, silly boy, let’s get inside.”
Through the laundry room and into the kitchen we went. His gifts were impossible to miss and given the excitement on his face, he didn’t.
“Let’s drop off your bag and I’ll give you the twenty second tour.” Trevor followed behind me, Bumble tightly clutched to his chest. I sat his bag at the foot of the bed. “This is my room, and over here is the bathroom.”
“Oh, that’s a big tubby-tubby. Can we have tubby time, Daddy?”
“Tubby time is one of my favorite things. I believe I even have some new tubby toys for you.” I was glad I’d invested the money I had in the remodel when I bought the house and went for the comfortable tub for two. “Across the hall is the spare bedroom and a home office with another bathroom between them.”
“Your house is nice, Daddy.”
“Thank you, sweet boy. How about a juice box?”
“Yes, please and thank you.”
The silly boy skipped down the hall behind me and into the kitchen.
“Why don’t you open your prezzies and I’ll bring your drink to you.”
He’d already paused in front of the table, eyes glued to the giant bag.
“Well, what are you waiting for?”
Evidently, nothing more than that direction. No sooner had I said them then a tornadic whirlwind of crepe paper flew through the air.
Trevor was gonna be a fun boy for sure.