“I love that guy,” he said with a wink to his daughter. He looked at me. “Why don’t you stay?”
“Oh, it’s okay.” I waved his invite away even though I really wanted to stay.
“It doesn’t feel right that you cook for us but don’t eat.”
“Stay and eat,” Maisie said. “I’ll get you the Donald fork.” She ran past me into the kitchen again.
“You can’t turn down the Donald fork,” he said with a smirk.
“I guess I’ll stay then.” It was really pathetic how much I liked it whenever he’d ask me dine with them on nights like this. I felt like a dumb school girl wanting whatever crumbs of attention Dylan would throw my way.
“Yay!” Maisie put the fork on the table. “Daddy, we played Candyland and I drew this picture. It’s of Little Bear and his mommy. His mommy lives with him, not like my mommy.”
The spark in Dylan’s eyes dimmed. “Where’s Little Bear’s daddy?”
“He’s …” Maisie’s brow furrowed. “Where is he, Tessa?”
“That’s a good question. The book doesn’t say.”
Dylan shook his head. “Dads don’t get enough attention in kids’ materials.”
He was right, and I felt guilty that I hadn’t more actively sought out books with dads. “You should write one,” I said.
“I’ll write one, Daddy.” Maisie grabbed her paper and crayons and started coloring.
A few minutes later, we were at the table eating chicken and vegetables.
“So, tomorrow is the last day of school. How does it feel, Mais?” he asked.
“Good. After tomorrow I’m in first grade.” She held up her index finger.
“You need to stop growing up so fast,” he said with a sweet smile at Maisie.
“I can’t help it, Daddy.” She held her hands up in a shrug.
“How about you, Tessa? What grade do you go into next year?” he asked, taking a bite of the vegetables.
I gave a little shrug as I pushed my food around my plate. “Eighteenth? If I go.”
“If?”
“Eighteen!” Maisie’s eyes widened.
I didn’t want to go into my financial woes. “Just need to secure tuition funds.” To avoid going into detail, I took a bite of my chicken.
He frowned. “Is that a real problem?”
I shook my head. “The problem is, what are Maisie and I going to do all summer?”
“I want to go to the pool,” Maisie said.
“So, you’re still good to watch her this summer?” Dylan watched me over the rim of his glass of water.
I nodded. “Yes. Maisie and I are going to have a blast, aren’t we sweet pea?”
“Yep.” Maisie chased a brussels sprout around her plate with her fork.
After dinner, I offered to do the dishes while Dylan played Candyland with Maisie. When I was done, Dylan walked me to the door, and watched as I made my way next door to my house. He always watched to make sure I got home okay, a gesture that wasn’t needed, and yet I found it completely endearing.