Page 78 of Tides and Tidings

Charlie

I had just finished bringing in the decorations when the pizza guy showed up to deliver our not-so-healthy dinner. From the smells emanating from the box, I could tell Blythe ordered a cheese pizza for her and Wren and a Supreme for me. They claim they’re “pizza purists,” while I like every topping known to man on mine.

I placed the boxes on the kitchen island and got plates out for dinner when Wren came bounding inside.

“Daddy! I drove sooo fast!” She ran through the back door.

“Did you?”

She nodded.

“Do you like your Jeep?”

Wren nodded again and wrapped her arms around my legs. “It’s the best gift ever!”

It was awesome to surprise Wren with the Barbie Jeep. I had never seen her react the way she did before. On no occasion had she been so overwhelmed with emotion that she broke into happy tears.

I had a surprise up my sleeve this evening—for both Wren and Blythe. When I was a kid, my mom would set up pillows and blankets on the floor of the living room and we would watch movies. I haven’t done that for Wren yet, but I figured tonight was my perfect opportunity.

I scooped Wren up and placed her on the counter. “Are you ready to eat now?”

She rubbed her stomach. “I’m starving!”

I lowered my gaze to meet hers. “Do you want some of my pizza?”

Wren shook her head violently, hitting herself in the face with her curls. “No! It’s smelly.”

“You mean delicious.”

“No, Daddy. It’s really smelly.”

When I opened the box, the smell of anchovies and gorgonzola cheese filled my nostrils. Wren gagged and plugged her nose. I turned towards Blythe for reinforcement, but she was leaning against the counter, her hand pinching her nose.

A smile tugged at my lips. “You both are so dramatic.”

“I think we’re having the appropriate reaction here.” Blythe challenged.

“It’s delicious. You don’t know what you’re missin’ out on.” I lifted two slices from the box and onto my plate.

Blythe grabbed pizza for herself and Wren. “Oh, we know what we’re missing out on.” She stuck her tongue out at me.

I turned my attention towards my daughter. “You like trying new foods.” I held up a slice. “Do you want to try a small bite?”

“No, thank you.” Wren turned towards Blythe to validate her decision. She gave a nod of approval. She placed her on the floor.

“More smelly pizza for me then.”

Blythe was trying to hide a smirk. As much as Wren looks like me, she is a carbon copy of Blythe personality-wise. I guess that happens when my kid “wants to be like Birdie.” Those words come out of Wren’s mouth on a few-times-per-week basis. For a single dad who thought he would be forever alone, life had a funny way of changing my mind.

“Do we want to eat while we decorate?” Blythe suggested.

“Yeah!” Wren cheered, running into the living room with her plate of pizza.

We followed suit. Wren threw herself onto the couch and already had the television remote in her hand.

She flicked the television on. “Can we watch my ocean show?”

Wren has always been fascinated by marine life. Ever since Blythe came into the picture, she’s encouraged Wren to explore further. She has truly thought of everything. We watch documentaries, identify shells at the beach, and watch for dolphins. We’ve seen Loggerhead turtle nests hatch. I have never seen my daughter happier than she has been since meeting Blythe.