Page 33 of Saved By the Pitcher

“Can I help you?” the bored girl behind the counter questioned James.

“One scoop of vanilla in a cup, please,” James responded.

“Anything mixed in or toppings?” the server asked.

“Nope.”

“What? I just said, you can get any combination you want, and you choose plain, old vanilla?” Mike exclaimed.

“I like vanilla,” James explained.

“Well, sure. Everyone does, but you can have that any time,” Mike protested.

“No, I can’t,” James answered. “I need to stay in shape. So, I never have ice cream. If I’m going to splurge and eat some, I want to get what I like.” The girl handed him his treat, and he handed her a twenty, telling her that he was paying for the two of them.

“You don’t have to do that,” Mike interjected.

“You paid for the pretzel.”

“Big whoop,” Mike snarked. “And I ate half of it.”

The server turned her attention to Mike. “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have the coconut and chocolate swirl ice cream, the Mounds candy mix-ins, the hot fudge sauce topping, along with whipped cream, nuts, a cherry and toasted coconut flakes,” Mike replied.

James barked a laugh. “Jesus. You’re like a little boy in a candy shop.”

Mike shrugged, then whispered in James’ ear, “And you’re a big boy, made for swirling my dessert then letting me lick your utensil clean.”

James almost choked on a spoonful of his ice cream, then turned away from the counter so the server wouldn’t see him blush. Once Mike had his order, he joined James at his side and they walked out of the store and over to the park.

“Man, you’re a pig in more ways than one. You’re going to have to spend all day in the gym tomorrow,” James scolded.

“Yes, Dad.” Mike smirked.

Once they were seated on a park bench, they sat quietly while eating. Once James finished his food, he sighed with a grin. “I haven’t had that in a long time. Why does it have to taste so good?”

Mike chuckled. “You want something that really tastes good? Here, eat some of this before I finish it,” he offered, holding a spoonful of his concoction to James’ mouth.

James did his move of jerking his head back with an amused expression. “Keep that away from me, Satan.”

“Come on, just one spoonful isn’t going to ruin your pretty figure,” Mike teased.

James gave him a side-eye, but leaned forward and allowed Mike to spoon the ice cream into his mouth. James moaned, causing Mike to laugh.

James swallowed and chuckled as well. “Okay, that was delicious.”

“See? Want some more?” Mike offered, holding up another spoonful.

“I do, but I will refrain. Thank you,” James replied, looking off toward children playing on a jungle-scape.

“Ever wish you had kids?” Mike asked.

James looked surprised. “What? No. Billy is sort of like my kid, as well as being my brother. There’s only a nine-year age difference, but I felt responsible for him. I still do.”

Mike nodded. “I see that. You’re good to him. He’s lucky to have you.”

James shrugged. “I’m lucky to have him, too.”