Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“But…but…what if he doesn’t know which park to take me to? What if he doesn’t know how to find the playground I like? What if he doesn’t know how to make good snacks?” Milo’s eyes well up, and Luna’s flick to my face.
Great. I might fail my first test before I even walk through the doorway. “I know a few good playgrounds, and if I can’t find the right one, that’s what the internet is for. There are pictures of all of them. You could show me which one it is, and I won’t stop looking until I find it. As far as cooking goes, I’m useless, but snacks happen to be my specialty. My other skillsets include playing a mean round of video games when called upon to do so, reading epic amounts of fascinating stories, being stellar at Tag, and even better at Hide and Seek. Plus, I push a swing like no one’s business, and I can make killer forts. Anything I don’t know, I’m sure I can learn.”
Milo doesn’t look convinced because he shakes his head. “We’ll see, big man. We’ll see.”
Beans and wieners, I love this kid already. He obviously inherited Luna’s dry sense of humor. If he’s as easygoing as his mom was, then I can probably make this work. I told myself at Granny’s yesterday that I didn’t want to screw this up. That no matter how many times I mess up, I’m willing to fix it. I’m willing to try and learn and fail along the way. Isn’t that what being a parent is about? I hope so because I read this book last night that was basically a crash course on parenting. I read it in under two hours, but I think I recall reading that line in there. I’m sure it was super scientific and not wholly opinion-based, so I should be good.
“I have to make a trip to the store,” Luna says, more to Milo than to me. “I have peanut butter and jam sandwiches in the fridge if all else fails. And if this guy is being a bozo, you know where to find me.”
“Right downstairs.” Milo grins and throws his arms around Luna’s neck as she bends down for a hug.
That might be the purest thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and my heart swells up to frightening proportions in my chest. Luna stands, gives me a look that promises certain and instant death if I step one toe out of line, and then grabs her purse off the kitchen chair. The back door, I can see, opens right into a small living room and kitchen. It’s directly across from a hallway, and I can make out the shadows of a few doors.
“If you care to come in and shut the door, I’ll give you a quick rundown.”
Milo wanders over to the kitchen cabinets while I follow Luna’s instructions. Of course, I should step in and shut the door. What was I thinking standing out here staring at them both like they’re alien lifeforms? Not smooth, dude. Not smooth at all.
Milo pulls a stool over to the counter, climbs onto it, and opens the cupboard. He grabs a huge box of cereal, lifting and lowering it precariously. He balances on the stool like a circus performer, but Luna doesn’t appear worried, so I suppose it’s alright. But she does walk over, grab a bowl, take the milk out from the fridge, and put both on the counter.
She lets Milo do the rest.
It’s impressive. I’m not sure I could even scratch my own bottom at four years old, let alone make myself a bowl of cereal.
“The place is tiny, as you can see,” Luna says. Then, she nods at Milo. “That’s why we’ve been through a few TVs, hey, Milo?”
“Yeah.” Milo hangs his head sheepishly. “Sorry, mom.”
Luna grunts. “Just no more roughhousing or playing The Floor is Lava indoors, okay? I don’t have money to be buying a new TV every week. If you want to play rough games, take it outside. That includes any and all wildness. Milo, do you understand?”
“Yes, mom.”
“Okay, good.” Her next instructions are for me. “Give him some snacks when he’s hungry, but don’t let him talk you into pure sugar. There’s healthy stuff in the fridge. If he doesn’t eat it…” She shrugs. “Well, he goes hungry, I guess. Then, lunch at noon, snack at two, and nap around three or four for an hour or two, but not more. Otherwise, he’ll never sleep tonight. I usually make dinner after I close the store at six, so you don’t have to worry about that. He can have something light if he’s hungry after naptime, but again, no candy, no matter how much he tells you that he’s going to perish without it. It’s not a matter of life or death. I’m downstairs if you need me. The door locks from both sides, the store-side and the inside, but I’ll keep it unlocked on both ends. If there’s a minor issue, just text or call me.” She narrows her eyes and lowers her voice while Milo pours milk into the cereal without spilling a drop. “Don’t make me regret this, Toren.”