“Yes!”
We both get so lost in the lesson, and I completely lose track of the world around us. I almost miss Aiden’s bedtime until I realize his enthusiasm is starting to wane. When I check my phone, it’s well past nine o’clock and I have several text messages from Liam waiting for me.
Liam: Cheese Whiz is at it again.
Liam: Did Aiden have a good day at school?
Liam: No Froot Loops for dinner.
Liam: My credit card is in the top drawer on the island if you want to order in.
Liam: Wait. You’re a millionaire. Pay for your own food.
Ruby: Chivalry is dead, I see.
Ruby: And it’s billionaire. You know…with a b.
Before I can respond to the rest of the messages, my phone rings. “Could it be? Is it the cat rescuer himself?”
“Very funny, Goldie. I had some time, so I figured it would be easier to call. How was your day?”
“We had cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then I took Aiden out for some shots after school to celebrate being the line leader today. We came home, snorted a line of Froot Loops directly off the countertop, and buried Jerry in the back yard near the campsite.”
“Just another Friday, then?”
“Yep.”
Aiden giggles beside me. “What’s a line?”
I bark out a laugh, and my shoulders shake from the force of it.
“Great. Now you get to explainthatto my kid,” Liam says.
I put my phone on speaker and turn my attention to Aiden. “It’s a grown-up thing. You’ll understand when you’re much older, but don’t do lines. It’s bad for you.”
“That’s not—you know what? Never mind. Why is my kid still awake?”
Aiden leans toward the phone and practically yells into the receiver. “Dad! Ruby’s teaching me to play guitar! It’s so fun!”
“That’s awesome, bud. Did you have a good day at school?”
“It was the best! I got to be the line leader, and we made slime in science!”
An alarm goes off on the other end of the line, and my heart leaps into my throat.
Over the frantic noises, Liam says, “I have to go. I’ll see you in the morning, ok?”
“Ok. Night, Dad.”
“‘Night, buddy. Sleep tight. Put Ruby back on for a second.”
I switch off the speaker and hold the phone to my ear. “Fire?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“Be safe,” I say, my voice slightly wobbly.
“Always. I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Goldie.”
