Chapter 12 #2
I hold up a finger and scurry through the cabinets, exhaling dramatically when I find what I’m looking for. Well, not exactly, but they’ll have to do. I turn to face her, loving that despite it being late, Addie plants herself on top of the island, ready to embrace carb overload.
“They’re not rainbow, but can I offer you Halloween ones?” I lift the bottle of sprinkles and inspect the label. “Bats and pumpkins, to be exact.”
“Hmm.” She scrunches her nose before holding her hand out to shake mine. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
I clap. “Woo! That’s what I’m talking about. Now, take a seat and be prepared for the best waffle of your life, Doodle bug.”
Addie crosses her legs as she waits patiently, her purple chipmunk pajamas brightening up the warmth of our downstairs. Upstairs is an entirely different feel. It’s as if neon glitter and Candyland made a baby.
“Why do you always call me Doodle, Daddy?”
I pause. “That’s a very good question,” I tell her, squirting whipped cream onto my finger and tapping her nose. “When you were itty bitty, you loved to draw me pictures. Everywhere we went, you had your pencil and notebook. It was my favorite thing.”
“What kinds of things did I draw?” she asks, voice squealing in intrigue. I set her waffle beside her and grab a fork, poking it in the center. “Oh, all kinds of things. But mostly princesses and baseballs.”
“Those are my favorite things, Daddy!”
Always have been. “I know they are. But want to know what I love even more than your doodles, princesses, and baseball?”
“What?” she asks, grabbing the end of the fork and lifting the entire waffle in the air. Addie’s mouth drops, all the syrup, sprinkles, and whipped cream sliding off. “Whoa!”
She takes a bite, not caring about the mess, and I smile. “You,” I say proudly, kissing her forehead. “You are my most favorite thing, Adeline. And I’ll love you forever.”
“And like me for always?” We quote our favorite children’s book often to each other; the memory of Addie as a three-year-old is always at the back of my mind.
Before she was in grade school, she’d join me on the road with Vanna for away games when Hilary worked, always packing a bag full of her little essentials.
And among all the art supplies, princess dresses, and dolls was her favorite book. Our book together.
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw.
“As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” I hold her close, knowing full well I’ll be covered in syrup, but I don’t care.
“I’m sorry for keeping you awake, Daddy.”
I shake my head and hold her cheeks. “Don’t apologize. I’m so proud of you, Doodle. But…” I draw out. “Doesn’t mean you don’t need to hurry up and get to bed. It’s a school night. We can hold a rap concert and late-night eats on the weekend, sound good?”
“Sounds good!” Addie cheers. “King Size taught me that song! It’s so fun.” She starts to sing it again, and I make a mental reminder to beat the shit out of King at Monday night’s game.
“Daddy is going to be having some words with Uncle King Size, that’s for sure, Ms. DJ,” I joke. “Now, last bite, then it’s off to bed.”
“He told me you’d say that.”
“I bet he did.”
“Uncle Gus said so, too. He teached me someone named Bow Wow. He talks super-duper fast.”
Jesus Christ. Add Gus to the fucking list.
“Yeah, well, next time you see Uncle Gus, tell him he has stinky farts and make sure you yell it so everyone can hear.”
“Ewww,” Addie giggles. “You have stinky farts, too, Daddy! They smell like poop!”
Average 10 p.m. chats with Adeline Briggs.
“They probably do,” I chuckle, helping her off the counter and cleaning her face with a wet paper towel. “Bedtime.”
Addie reaches for my hand as I guide her back upstairs. “When can we see Dr. Wilde again?”
I try to mask my reaction. It’s not unusual for Addie to get attached to people, especially women. But Juniper has been one that’s surprised me. Addie is infatuated with her, and I can’t distinguish why.
Maybe there’s something I don’t see or can’t yet?
I’m not sure. But I also don’t know how to go about this. Juniper is Addie’s doctor, not her friend. But there’s next to nothing I wouldn’t do to make Addie happy.
That includes making sure she gets to see Dr. Wilde again.
“I really don’t know, sweetie. Why do you ask?”
“I like her. She’s really nice to me and smiles a lot when you’re around, Daddy. She needs friends, and I want to be her friend so much.”
“You are her friend. Probably the best one she’s ever had, too,” I say, tucking her into bed and flipping off the light. “We don’t get to see Dr. Wilde for another three months, since you’re doing so great on your smartie beans.”
The twinkling of butterfly lights illuminates Addie’s room, making the whites of her eyes glitter at me. “But why so long?” she cries softly. “Oh! Maybe we can have a playdate?”
She’s not making this easy on me.
“I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll have to see, okay? Get some sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.”
Addie smiles wide. “And then you’ll talk to Dr. Wilde about a playdate?”
Oh, hell.
“We’ll see.” I kiss her forehead, but the girl keeps going.
“Please. Please. Please.”
What grown woman would want to spend time with someone else’s child on her day off? Probably none, but I’m gonna ask anyway.
“Fine. I’ll ask her. But I don’t want to hear another word about it until then. Understood?”
I back away just as Addie’s eyes fall closed, the softest smile still lingering. “I promise. I love you, Daddy.”
“And I love you, Doodle. Sleep tight.”
I shut the door behind me, the back of my head falling against the cold wood. Tonight didn’t go how I planned, but again, a new normal I’m still learning how to manage. I can’t help but think that maybe Addie staying up later to eat is a blessing in disguise.
It gives me the one thing I’ve wanted more of…time.
Sticking to my promise, I slip my phone from my pocket and search for the new contact. I click on the name she made for herself, grinning like a fool as I type out a message.
How does one go about making pancakes?
Coolest Doctor Ever
Suburban Daddy?
Unfortunately, yes…
Coolest Doctor Ever
Have I mentioned I’m a foodie? Pancakes are my jam. Let me see if I can find you a recipe. Is this an Addie request?
What gave it away?
Was kind of hoping you could come over and show me? The royal queen has requested a playdate.
Why does it feel like I’m asking her to go steady?
Bubbled dots register on the screen, and I feel a plunge in the pits of my stomach.
Coolest Doctor Ever
The next two days are crazy busy.
Shit. I knew it wasn’t a good idea. I should have just taken the recipe link and ended it at that.
Coolest Doctor Ever
But I’m free Sunday morning?
Wait, really…?
Sunday works. Thanks, Doc. See you then.
I text her my address and pray like hell I can keep myself in check. My mind. My sanity. My nervous system. Looks like I’ll also need to beg Hilary to let me have Addie on Sunday since it’s technically her weekend.
I didn’t think twice when Juniper suggested that day, agreeing like a lost puppy right away. Shouldn’t be a problem, but I know Hilary, and she’ll ask questions.
Likely, wondering what’s so urgent.
Well, Hilary, the pretty doc is coming over, and not for me.
But why does it feel like the beginning…the beginning of something far greater?