Page 22 of Size Game

Sadie comes back downstairs holding a plush unicorn. She has on a pair of pink shoes and a little pink tiara. She finds her seat at the table and sits down. Imelda signals that the food is almost ready. Alex tells Sadie to go wash her hands, and she does so while he retrieves the silverware and plates.

Without a second thought, I help him set the table. We set it together, glancing at each other shyly every so often. Sadie returns, and Imelda brings the food to the table. We all take our seats and have a nice meal together.

For a young child, Sadie is rather well-behaved at the table. We enjoy our meal and listen to Sadie talk about how this party is going to be the “bestest party ever.” Alex agrees that it will be, as does Imelda. I just smile and nod.

After dinner, Imelda takes Sadie upstairs for a bath, then bedtime. Alex gathers the dishes and runs water for them in the sink. I help him get everything together. He shuts off the water and turns around to look at me. We’re both thinking the same thing. The kitchen is open.

“I’m sorry. I have a really early day tomorrow. I think I’ll have to call it a night.”

“Of course,” he says with a calm smile.

Then he walks me to the door and opens it for me. I start to leave, then turn around to face him.

“I had a nice night. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I go in to hug him, and he hugs me close. It is warm and safe and just pure bliss. The embrace slowly ends, and he places a warm hand on my cheek. I look up at him, and he gently touches his lips to mine. We stand in his doorway for a few seconds with our lips together.

Then I step closer and press myself against him and wrap my arms around his neck. He wraps one arm around my waist and keeps the other hand on my cheek. I get lost in this simple, tender kiss. It just feels right to be kissing him.

After a moment we pull away from each other and say good night. I get in my car, and he shuts the door behind me. That was not planned. I don’t think he thought he was going to do that. I’m glad he did though.

11

Alex

It’s early in the morning, and I doubt I have much time before Sadie wakes up and the chaos begins. Her party is today, and I know she’s going to be a handful, regardless of how well-behaved she normally is.

Earlier in the week I talked with Imelda and gave her the option to have the weekend off. She decided to take the time off but will, of course, show up at Sadie’s party. She wouldn’t miss it for the world. I know she loves my little girl and sees us both as family. I’ve helped her a great deal as well as some of her family.

She said she would be bringing her grandson along. He’s a few years older than my Sadie and a nice boy. His parents are a little worse for wear, but that’s where a lot of Imelda’s money goes. She cares for the boy, and I helped her open a savings account for him that he will be able to access when he’s older.

I head downstairs in my robe to get the coffee going, then grab the paper and start flipping through the articles. There’s a stock crash in something plant related, and another stock is up in something entertainment related. I flip to the funny pages, because let’s face it, these are really the only pages worth reading.

I get my first cup of coffee just right and drink while reading through the comics. By the time I finish my second comic strip, I can hear Sadie getting up. I hear the little pitter-patter of her feet as she runs through the hall and down the stairs. Finally, she runs right into the kitchen and leaps into my arms.

“Good morning, Princess!”

“Daddy! Guess what day it is?”

“Hm… Monday.”

“No.”

“Pancake Day.”

“No,” she says, pondering the idea.

“What day is it?”

“My birthday!”

“Is it? Wow! You must be turning ten already, right?”

“No, Daddy. I’m five!”

I tickle her and kiss her forehead. She giggles and gives me a big hug. Then she hops off my lap and heads to the cupboard to find her favorite cup.