23.1 Real Dad

Jared held the precious little boy in his arms, remembering when his own children were small enough to cuddle like that. It had been so long since he held a child. They were so soft and light. He almost forgot how nice it was.

“Careful now,” Penny said. “All that cuteness might have you start thinking crazy thoughts.”

He chuckled. “Ohhhhh no. He is handsome, but not that handsome. Our factory is closed!”

She giggled. “Ok, Jared! I don’t want to see you over here next week talking about you have some news.”

“You have my word on that.”

The boy’s brother came down the stairs. “Hi, Mr. Pruett!”

“Why, hello there, young man!”

The baby wiggled, trying to free himself from Jared’s grasp, so he put him down and watched him waddle to his brother.

Jared shook his head. “That is your son, Penny.”

“Praise the Watcher! A girl’s gotta leave somebody around here looking like her, right?”

“Oh, I know. My wife has three little clones.”

“She sure does! I swear you two make the most beautiful children.”

“I appreciate that. Say, where is the old man anyway? Is he hiding so I don’t make fun of him?”

She snorted. “Probably.”

As if on cue, Irvin came in from outside. “Pruett!”

“Hey! Speaking of the devil. You look good for an old man.”

“Hardy har har. I bet you’ve been waiting all week for that one.”

“You know I have. So, how are you feeling? Did you get your care package yet?”

“What are you going on about, Pruett?”

Jared sucked his teeth. “I sent you a welcome package to the adult club. I’m just looking out for you, Frank. You need to know what to expect!”

Irvin turned to his wife. “Do you believe this guy? I think he’s after my gig. Everyone’s gotta be a comedian!”

The three friends shared a bought of hearty laughter. There was almost nothing else in the world quite like laughing with friends.

“You two are a trip,” Penny said. “Let’s sit down before we fall down.”

“Can I come too?” DeMario asked.

“Of course, big man,” Jared said. “I like your haircut. Looking like a little model.”

Penny gave the boy the stink eye. “Yeah. He knows it too.”

They all followed Penny into the living room and sat.

“Uh oh,” Jared said. “I had one like that too. So, are you guys having another?”

Penny cut her eyes at him.

Jared laughed. “Oh, you didn’t know? Once you have one, the second comes quickly.”

“I mean …” Irvin glanced at Penny. “If that’s what she wants.”

Her head jerked back. “Pssh! Boy, please. I am too old to be popping out another baby. Manuel and DeMario are enough for me. I’m good.”

“Ok,” Jared said in a daring tone. “You’ve been warned!”

“Don’t put that evil on me, Jared! Come on, D. Let’s take your brother upstairs so the men can talk.”

“Awww! But I wanna hang out with Mr. Pruett!”

“You can talk to him later, but for now, let’s give them some privacy.”

The boy pushed himself off the couch unenthusiastically. “Okaaaay.”

“It’s ok, little man. I’ll come see you before I leave.” He waited until they were out of sight to get the latest gossip on the India Saga. “So … He’s still here. That’s good, right?”

“She finally had her birthday.”

Jared snorted. “It’s about time.”

“Yeah. We don’t talk like that, but I think she’s been thinking about the future, you know?”

Jared nodded.

“She’s old now. Got two babies at home. And then there’s the husband. She probably figured it was best for D to stay here. We take him over there on Saturdays. We don’t want him to forget his family while he’s living it up over here.”

“That’s good, Frank. So, what did she have?”

“A little girl.”

“Oh! Well that’s nice. I guess we have that in common.”

“What’s that?”

“Fourth times a charm. Well, Kori is a twin, but she’s the younger one. So, how are you handling being a full time dad now?”

Irvin snorted. “Man, fatherhood is hard work, bruh. Serious hard work!”

Jared chuckled at his friend. “Yes. I’ve been telling you. You’re a real dad now, Frank! I should have brought your official dad t-shirt. It’ll be any day now you’ll start your database of dad jokes.”

“Pruett, you’re a mess!”

“But, seriously though. You’re ok? No regrets?”

“Of course not, man. I’m enjoying it.”

Irvin began laughing to himself.

“What’s funny?”

“I never had D when he was a baby.”

“Really?”

“Nope. We always went over there to see him. I never changed a diaper before Manuel. Bruh …”

Jared laughed heartily.

“You didn’t tell me about the poop, bro! I thought you were my boy.”

“Some things, my friend, you simply need to discover on your own.”