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"Tyler's caught himself a summer cold," she says, her voice low. "Poor thing's been in bed all day, barely awake long enough to take his medicine. Makes him drowsy."
My heart sinks a little, both with concern for Tyler and the change in plans. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Mrs. Carolyn sighs, rubbing her temples. "Honestly, Sarah, I just wish I could have a moment to sit down. Been running around all morning trying to keep up with Timmy and tend to Tyler."
An idea sparks in my mind, and I find myself offering before I can overthink it. "Why don't I take Timmy off your hands for the day? We can explore the town. Have a little adventure. It might be good for both of you to have a break."
Her eyes light up with gratitude. "Would you, Sarah? I would owe you one. Plus getting him out of the house helps me focus on taking care of his father and helps Timmy stop being so worried over his father being ill."
"Oh, it's no problem at all, Mrs. Carolyn. I'm just happy to help in any way that I'm able."
While Mrs. Carolyn goes to look for Timmy to tell him about hanging out with me for the day and getting ready for it, I think of all the places I can show Timmy that I don't think he's seen yet.
With a plan in place, I head upstairs to peek in on Tyler. The sight of him, pale and barely awake, tugs at my heart. "Hey there," I whisper, not wanting to disturb his rest.
He cracks open an eye, a shadow of his usual bright smile on his face. "Hey, Sarah," he murmurs, his voice hoarse.
"I'm taking Timmy out for the day. Get him out of your hair so you can rest. You okay with that?"
A relieved smile crosses his features. "Sounds perfect. Thanks, Sarah."
Leaving Tyler to his much-needed rest, I find Timmy in the living room, his curiosity as big as his bright eyes when I tell him about our day out. "Really? We're gonna explore the whole town?"
"Every nook and cranny," I promise, and his excitement is infectious.
Our first stop is the general store, where Mr. Miller, the owner, greets us with a hearty "Howdy!" and a lollipop for Timmy, which earns him the biggest grin. We wander aisles filled with everything from horse tackle to homemade jams, Timmy's wonder never ceasing.
After leaving the candy aisle, Timmy's attention shifts to a collection of vintage comic books near the back of the store. He runs his fingers over the plastic sleeves with wide-eyed reverence, each title a whispered name of heroes and adventures.
"Look at this one, Sarah!" he exclaims, holding up a brightly colored issue with a superhero soaring across the cover.
Mr. Miller gives us a warm smile, leaning on the counter and telling us about the history of some comics. It feels more like a mini history lesson than just shopping. Timmy is captivated, listening to every word Mr. Miller says, forgetting his worries for now.
Of course, I think it's okay for Timmy to worry about his father, but not to the point where it makes him sad.
We then wander towards the creek, the heart of Pine Creek, where Timmy tosses pebbles and watches them ripple across the water. "It's so peaceful here," he says, a serene look on his face. I can't help but agree, the tranquility of nature wrapping around us like a warm hug.
As we sit by the creek, I can see Timmy's imagination taking flight. He starts crafting tales about pirates searching for hidden treasures along the banks and daring adventurers setting off on quests downstream.
I can tell that the more excited he becomes, the more he puts his imagination to use, expanding on his tall tales that elicit a bright smile from him.
Lunch is at Pop's Beastly Burgers, where Timmy's eyes go wide at the size of the burgers. "Do you think I can finish it all?" he asks, determined.
"I bet you can," I encourage, and the daring look on his face as he tackles the burger is downright comical.
After eating enthusiastically, Timmy stops and looks up at me with ketchup on his cheek. "This is the best day," he says, smiling brightly. The diner is lively with the sound of locals talking, giving it a warm and welcoming feel.
Our waitress, a friendly woman with lines from smiling around her eyes, tops up our drinks and tells us about a huge burger challenge the diner had once. Timmy listens eagerly, already thinking about returning to take on that challenge.
The day continues with more stops, each place a new discovery for Timmy's eager mind. From the small history museum with its tales of Pine Creek's founding to the park where we feed the ducks, his laughter is infectious.
Hours continue to fly by until it's time for us to head back to the house. Mrs. Carolyn meets us at the door, her relief evident as she sees the joy in Timmy's eyes.
"Did you have fun, Timmy?" she asks, already knowing the answer.
"The best day ever!" he exclaims, throwing his arms around her in a hug.
I then follow them into the house, while hoping that Tyler is feeling much better.
