Page 5 of Manny Included

Bay nodded and sat, sighing.“So tomorrow…”

“I don’t think they should go.They are closed coffins.They won’t understand.We can talk about it, but it’s a bad idea.”

“You don’t think Belle’s going to want to go?I mean she wanted to go see their bodies so she could hug them goodbye.”

“She won’t be able to regardless.What happens if she has a screaming meltdown?”That would be a nightmare.

“People are going to expect them to be there, but if you really think it’ll be better for them in the long run not to go, then they don’t go.People can go fuck themselves if they have a problem with that.”

He bounced little Flynn.“I don’t think it’s in their best interests.I don’t think it will help.I think they need care and for things to find their new normal.”

“You’re the expert, we’ll go with your opinion.”Bay rubbed his eyes and shook his head.“I swear to god this is so fucked up.”

“It is.”He pursed his lips.“Please be careful what you say around the little ones.Eric especially tends to get in trouble at school for inappropriate actions.”

Bay frowned.“Inappropriate actions?”

“Yelling ‘s-h-i-t’ over and over because it made the other children giggle?Showing his backside to the playground…”

Bay chuckled.“Sorry, I know it’s wrong, and he shouldn’t do it, but he is just like his father.Tony got into so much shi-trouble when he was in elementary school.”

“That’s what he said.He said you were the good one.”And Tony had been his best friend.Both of them had, and he didn’t understand how they could be gone.

“Maybe, but he was the fun one.”Bay’s mouth quirked.“Everyone wanted to be friends with Tony.He could charm the underpants off a grandmother.”

“Yes.He was my roommate in college.He was very charismatic.”And the straightest man in history.

“Oh?You knew each other before you worked for him?That’s neat.”

He didn’t work for them.He cared for them, and they took care of him.“We’ve known each other since we were eighteen.I have my master’s in early childhood education.”

“That must come in handy, being a manny.”

“I guess so?”What did that even mean?

“You only guess so?I would have thought a master’s in early childhood education would be a great asset in looking after the kids.”

“Well, it helps with all the specific challenges, I think, but mainly, I love them.”

Bay nodded.“Okay.Good.Good.Do they have school or anything they’re missing?You mentioned Eric getting in trouble in school…”

“They both have another month in school, but… I didn’t know what to do about legal things and they’re both stressed…” He needed signing responsibility.He wasn’t even sure who was getting custody of the kids.

“I imagine it’ll be okay if they miss a couple days under the circumstances.So they’re what?Fifth and third grade?And the two little ones aren’t old enough yet?”

What?“Third and pre-K and no.Merida is two and Flynn isn’t walking well yet…”

Bay frowned.“Is there a problem with Flynn’s legs?”

He held the toddler up.“He’s eleven months old!”

“Oh.”Bay had the good graces to flush.“I didn’t realize… It’s been a busy few years.”

Pete nodded, trying to be decent.“You’ve been very busy.Tony was proud of you.”

“I should have made more of an effort to be here.”Bay’s voice came out rough.“You don’t expect to—” He cleared his throat.“I thought I had all the time in the world.”

“So did they.”He buried his face in little Flynn’s head, just breathing in the baby scent.