Page 80 of C is for Comfort

“I don’t really want to see the spiders either,” I confide.

“Scaredy cats,” Blake says.

“You like spiders?” Lexi asks, staring at Blake in awe.

“Spiders are great. They help get rid of flies.”

“They have too many legs,” Lexi decides. “And too many eyes.”

“You’ve lost this fight,” I say to Blake.

He shrugs, laughs, and goes back to making my helmet.

Corey:We’d love to go to the zoo with you.

Spence:Great. I’ll book tickets. See you on Wednesday.

My heart aches at the thought I won’t see him sooner, but other than a window of an hour or so between me finishing work and him going to work, it’s basically impossible when he’s on night shifts. Even more so if Lexi doesn’t want me to go out.

Corey:We’ll talk between now and then?

Fuck. Talk about needy.

Spence:Every day, sweet boy.

I smile at his message. At least I know I’m not the only needy one in our relationship.

Spence:Starting tomorrow, message me when you wake up. Barring emergencies, I get off shift at seven, and I won’t go to bed until I’ve heard from you.

Corey:Yes, Daddy.

Spence:And call me tonight once Lexi is in bed.

Corey:I’d love to. Speak soon.

I put my phone away and join Lexi and Blake at the table. Missing my date with Spence doesn’t seem so bad now I know I’ll get to hear his voice in a few hours. For now, I’m happy to pretend to be an astronaut with my daughter and my brother. Let the silliness commence.

19

Spencer

Thankfully, the weather is good on Wednesday morning, but Emily sent the kids with waterproofs just in case. We get to the zoo a little early and wait for Corey and Lexi to arrive.

“I want to see the lions first,” Robbie proclaims.

Tabitha lets out an exaggerated sigh. “They’re at the back. We have to go pasttonsof animals before we get to the lions.”

“Aww. Can’t we just go straight to the lions?”

“No.”

“We’ll get to the lions soon enough,” I promise Robbie. “Tabitha’s right. There’s lots to see first.”

“But I only like the lions.”

Tabitha rolls her eyes.

“Can we go in?” Robbie asks, tugging my coat.