“Can we have chicken nuggets now?”
Sadie eagerly adds, “Yes, can we?”
“Don’t you two ever want something other than chicken nuggets?” Chicken nuggets are going to be the death of me. “Maybe we should try something new? What do you think?”
Reed looks disgusted. “Not veggies, right? Mom makes me eat all that yucky stuff.”
“My mommy does too.”
“Hey,” Lexie starts, gaining their attention, “forgive us for wanting healthy children to grow up strong. Don’t you two want to be big and strong?” They both nod. “Then let’s see if there’s something else that’s yummy and healthy.”
“Right,” I agree. “Do y’all want a t-shirt or some souvenir before we go?”
“Yes!” they answer with excitement.
“Let’s go find something, then. Reed, you can pick out one thing, okay? So choose wisely.”
He nods and we walk over to the gift shop. Lexie and I follow a few steps behind them while they search for the perfect souvenir. I bump Lexie’s shoulder with mine. “Having fun?”
“I’m having a lot of fun. Thank you,” she smiles. “I’m sorry I acted crazy before. I don’t want the kids to get the wrong impression.”
“No need to be sorry. I get it.” With my eyes on her little girl, I mention my conversation with her. “Sadie brought up her dad while we were looking at jellyfish.”
Lexie looks sad, but not surprised. “She’s been asking a lot of questions here lately. It didn’t help that the school has a family dance coming up. I know that the dads will be dancing with their daughters. Sadie pretends that she’s okay with it, but it bothers the hell out of me. I hope she didn’t make you uncomfortable or anything. She’s curious still.”
“Maybe talk to her some more? I don’t know.” I can’t give much advice when I’ve never been in such a situation. “She asked if I would be able to do stuff with y’all since I’m a daddy. I told her I could, but that I’m still Reed’s dad and that Tony is still hers. Didn’t really know what to tell her.”
Her eyes widen with horror. “I’m sorry. I really am. I’ll talk to her about boundaries.”
“No, she was fine. I just meant…I don’t know.” All I wanted was to tell her what happened. “She’s sweet, and what I’m about to say has absolutely nothing to do with you or us, okay?”
Lexie hesitates. “Okay.”
“If she wants to go to the dance, I could be her dance partner during those songs. She shouldn’t have to miss out on dressing up. She said she likes doing that with you.” I smile, hoping that will help my case.
Sure enough, Lexie giggles, probably at memories of doing just that with her daughter. “Ashton,” she begins seriously, “that is a favor I could never repay, and I can’t ask something like that of you. I mean, we just started dating…or whatever this is, but that’s very thoughtful of you.”
“You aren’t asking, because I offered. And ignore the dating thing. This is me wanting to do something for her, for Reed’s new best friend. That’s it. Think about it?” The thought of that little girl missing a dance she seems to want to go to because her dad can’t be here to take her kills me. If I could take her without confusing her, then why not?
It takes a moment, but Lexie nods as the kids walk to us.
Sadie holds up a stuffed animal. “Mommy, this looks like Nemo, doesn’t it? Can I have it?”
“Of course.” She smiles. “Reed, what did you find?”
He holds up a little bag. “Shark teeth!”
I laugh and take it from him, looking it over. “Hey, you know what you should do with those, little man?” I give them back, knowing he’s going to like what I’m about to say. “When you get home, wait a little bit, and take one out. Then say ‘ow’ really loud and go carry it to your mom and pretend that it’s one of your teeth that fell out.”
Lexie giggles, but manages to speak. “Ashton, that’s horrible.”
Between my idea and Lexie’s laughing, Reed smiles. “Mom gets so grossed out when I lose a tooth. She’s going to freak!”
I chuckle. That’s the idea. “We’ll work out a plan, then. Let’s go check out and go eat.”
We walk over and the kids put their things on the counter. While a teenager rings me up, I pull out my wallet.
“Ashton, I’ve got hers,” Lexie objects.