Page 24 of Schooling Little Sage

“Oh.”

“Come on, let’s pick out a couple of books.”

“Ooohhh Daddy, look, the mouse has a choco chip cookie. Can we have cookies and milk tonight?”

“That can be arranged.”

I was getting the cute mouse book for sure. Daddy helped me pick out two more, one with a monkey at the zoo and another with a rhino and a boy using his horn to play ring toss with.

“Daddy, what if the rhinosrus doesn’t like that boy throwing stuff at him?”

“You mean the rhy-noss-uh-russ,” Daddy sounded it out, but I’d already said that.

“That’s what I said, rhinosrus.”

Daddy laughed and rubbed my curly curls. “Guess we’ll have to read it and find out.”

“Daddy, are we gonna have sex sometime?”

Daddy coughed, he was doing that a lot lately. Maybe he should see a doctor. I heard Becky say sweet baby Jesus, but I didn’t know what she was going on about.

“How about we have that conversation over milk and cookies.”

“’Kay.”

“I have to say, I’m really enjoying this fun, curious side of my Sage.”

His Sage.

“You make me happy, Daddy. You don’t yell or get mad when I talk or tell me not to talk like a baby or act like a toddler. You just let me be me.”

“That’s the way it should be, sweetheart. Don’t ever be anyone but you. Can you do that for Daddy?”

My head bobbed all around and I blew hard to get the curls out of my eyes. “Yes, Daddy. Do I need a haircut?”

“Do you want one?”

I remembered all the awful haircuts Mama gave me. “No, thanks.”

“Fine by me. You know how much I love your hair.”

“And me.” Didn’t want him to forget that. “You said you loved me and there are no take-backsies.”

“And you, silly boy. Let’s get the cookies and a few other things Daddy has to pick up. Then you can pack your bag for tonight and we’ll head to Daddy’s apartment.” He loaded up the basket he was carrying with some odds and ends. I made sure he didn’t forget the choco chip cookies. They were my favorite.

I was having a hard time thinking about what to pack. I’d never slept over anywhere and had no idea what to bring.

“Don’t break your brain, little one.” Daddy tapped my forehead. “Let’s get you a special toothbrush and toothpaste to keep at Daddy’s. Then all you need to pack is jammies and clothes for tomorrow.”

“And my stuffies.”

“Yes, we can’t forget them.”

Daddy paid for all the stuff then walked me to the elevator. As soon as it opened on my floor I ran down the hall to my room and shoved a bunch of things into my bag. Shoot, better make sure I have work clothes. I pulled it all back out. Good thing I did because I’d have been nakey-butt for work tomorrow. This time I grabbed jammies, boxers, and a work outfit and then scooped up my stuffies. “We’re having a sleepover at Daddy’s tonight. It’s gonna be so much fun.”

“Ready, Daddy,” I said as soon as the elevator opened.

“That was fast. Come on, little one, let’s get going.”