Page 74 of Loving Kai

John looked at the clothes, toys, dishes, diapers, and brand new stroller. “Okay, honey.” He kissed her.

“You’re placating me.”

“No. I love you.”

Abe cleared his throat. “Okay, you two.”

John laughed. “I’m going to take a long shower, then go to bed.”

Allie smiled. “Wait up for me.”

Abe covered his ears. “Geez, Mom.”

“We like to talk before bed.”

“Right. Can we talk about something else? Show me what you got.”

“Well, first, let me show you this.” She held up a T-shirt with ‘Yee Haw’ written on it.

“Wow, Mom. Please tell me you didn’t get one of those for me.”

“You need to wear your Rocco’s T-shirt and help advertise the booth.”

“I am planning on doing that.”

“Maggie should wear one too.”

“Maggie can wear whatever she wants.”

“Of course. Get to work on the stroller while I sort through this stuff.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He looked at the picture on the box. “This is a really fancy stroller.”

“I expect you’re going to be an active father. He’ll get a lot of use out of it.”

“Active?”

“Yes. What with all the motorcycle racing and snowboarding you’re planning on doing with my grandson.”

“Right.” He took out his pocket knife and sliced open the box. “Let’s see what we got here.”

Thirty minutes later, Abe had the stroller together, and he stood back to admire it. “Not bad.”

Allie came in from the kitchen. “Finished already?”

“I’m rebuilding a twenty-year-old Toyota. I can build a damn stroller.”

She pushed it around the room. “This will be perfect.”

“It’s so nice I hate to take it out in all the dust at the rodeo grounds.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Thank you for this and all the other stuff.”

“You’re welcome.” She went to him and hugged him, then wiped a tear from her cheek. “We bought a new stroller when you came along. The one we bought for Wes had been through three boys. It was time for a new one. Then that one lasted through Luke.”