Page 35 of Schooling Little Sage

“Is it my birthday and I forgot?”

“Would you really forget such an important day?”

The smile faded and his head fell. “Wouldn’t be the first time it was forgotten.”

“Your birthday will never be missed by me. It’s the most important day of the year. The day the love of my life came into the world.” Which this year would be celebrated while we were with his bestie in Cali. Devon and I were already making plans, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on Sage’s face.

“Thanks, Daddy.”

“For what?”

“Always ’membering me.”

There was no way my mother wouldn’t fall head over heels for this pure soul, just as I had.

“You’re my every waking thought, Sage.”

“Yup, no take-backsies.”

“No take-backsies ever.”

He slipped off his shoes just inside the door and hung his backpack on the hook.

“Why don’t you pick a movie while Daddy gets our food set up.”

Sage’s eyes went from the prezzie bag to the food then up to me. Ah, his Little was itching for their surprise. “’kay, Daddy.”

So full of energy, his legs wiggled as he danced around, flipping through the channels until he switched over to the streaming service and selected a favorite we’d seen many, many, many times.

“Turtles?”

“Yup, they’re my favorite. Look at all the nummies, Daddy.” I’d sat out the spread on the coffee table while he shimmied through the shows. “All my favorites.”

“Yes, and after you eat you can have your prezzie.”

Sage’s mouth morphed into fishy lips. “Kisses, Daddy.”

“Muah.” I made a loud sound as I kissed him. “Let’s fill your tummy and watch some turtle power.” I loaded up his divided plate that matched his beloved show. “Juice box or sippy cup?”

“Sippy with apple juice, please and thank you.”

With food and drinks sorted, we dove in. The silence now was much different than it had been earlier today, thankfully. Not as uncomfortable. Inside I was a ball of nerves, waiting for Sage to bring up the parental meeting, though on the outside I managed to keep my cool. Beside me, he hummed away as he dipped his food and watched the show. Sage wasn’t messy when he ate, food didn’t land in precarious places or get flung through the air. A quick mouth and hand wipe when he was done was it.

I got the leftovers put away and brought the gift bag back with me. “Here you go.”

Sage dug in and pulled it out, smiling like it was the best gift ever.

“Thank you, Daddy. Now my stuffies have an elephant to play with them. I’ll call her Cora.”

“Cora?”

“Yup, Cora the elephant.” He gave her a kiss then glanced away. “What if they don’t like me. Will you leave me then?”

I barely heard him but once the words sunk in, so did my heart. “Come here.” I patted my lap and he crawled up. “Do you trust your Daddy?”

“More than anyone in the world.”

“Why would your Daddy ever take you to meet people that might not like you?” he shrugged. “I wouldn’t. Because if they don’t like you, then they’re not the right people for me either.”