Page 96 of Loving Kai

She headed for the kitchen, and Abe followed her. “I can do the banana.”

Allie picked up a banana and cut it in half. “Start with this.”

The first bite nearly made him gag, and the smell of coffee and Cheerios was unbearably strong.

“Are you okay, honey?”

“Cheerios.”

“Kai had some for breakfast. He likes to put them in his applesauce now.”

Abe set the banana on the counter. “I’ll eat at work.”

Maggie came in with Kai. “Sorry, but you need to take that shower, or we’re going to be late.”

“Right.” He kissed Kai on the cheek and thought about kissing Maggie, but stopped himself. Allie might think they had some crazy night last night when he should’ve been home with his sick son. “I won’t be long.”

The shower helped, and by the time they left for work, Abe felt almost back to normal. Maggie wanted to drive her car, so he followed her in the car he was still borrowing from his parents. He needed to buy something. He’d put it off long enough.

They arrived at work fifteen minutes late, and Gentry seemed perturbed. He scowled at Abe from the prep counter, then motioned toward the three tables of customers. Maggie nodded, set down her things, and went to tend to them.

Abe went into the kitchen area and put on his apron. “Sorry.”

“We have three pickup orders to make. I’ve got two of the three customer orders in the oven.”

Abe looked at the orders. “I’ll get to work on these three extra-larges for the Rotary Club.”

“Check the oven first.”

Abe went to the oven and adjusted the pizzas, then prepared the dough for the order.

Gentry glanced at him. “How is Kai this morning?”

“He’s much better. You’d never know he was sick last night.”

“That’s kids. They bounce right back.”

“Mom said Micah had those seizures when he was younger.”

“He sure did.”

“How did you feel the first time you witnessed one?”

“Nearly crapped my pants. It scared the hell out of me.”

“So, you get it?”

Gentry looked at him for a moment. “I get it.” He carried the pizza he had just made to the oven. “It gets easier.”

Maybe it will. Or maybe some other crazy, scary thing will happen that makes the seizure look like nothing. Maggie smiled at him, and he gave her a nod. If things go as he’d like, he might not have to face those things alone.

Gentry nudged him. “So, we’re back there again, are we?”

“Just put toppings on these damn pizzas.”

“When you’re ready to admit that you guys are a couple, Marti and I would love to have the three of you over for dinner.”

Abe turned to him. “You’ve never once invited me and someone I was…dating over for dinner before.”