Blake sprawled on his recliner sofa, dividing his attention between the Financial Times magazine he was holding and cheering Jayce, who was busy playing one of his favorite video games on Saturday night.
Jayce was so engrossed in the game, moving his fingers at lightning speed on the controllers, as he tried to defeat the final boss.
His phone rang on the side table beside him. He looked over at the screen. It was one of the senior managers, he picked up the phone off the table.
“Hey Nicole,” he called out after he swiped a finger across the phone screen.
Nichole was calling to give him the feedback from some of their clients she was liaising with as Blake had directed her to do. They spoke for ten minutes and he ended the call.
Blake looked at the time on the phone before dropping it back on the side table. It was fifteen minutes past ten o’clock.
“It’s late already Punky,” he told Jayce and dropped his phone back on the side table. “It’s time to go to bed.”
The little boy pretended as if he didn’t hear his dad. He was so engrossed in the game.
Blake let out a deep sigh. “Jayce,” he said gently, but firmly. “It’s time to go to bed.”
“Give me a few more minutes,” Jayce stood up, still pressing the pad. “It’s Saturday night, dad.”
“And that’s why you are still down here at this time of the night,” he said fondly to his son.
The boy looked up at his father with pleading eyes. He didn’t want to stop playing.
“You will continue tomorrow,” he said. “Tomorrow is still the weekend.”
“Okay,” Jayce said, knowing he had to listen to his father. He turned off the game with a defeated look.
“That’s my boy.” Blake ruffled his hair. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Blake went with him to his bedroom and tucked him into bed after the little boy brushed his teeth.
“Which book do you want me to read tonight?” Blake stood in front of the bookshelf lining the wall. “We already finished ‘The Super Legends’ yesterday.”
“I want one of the new ones we bought this morning,” he said. ‘Mommies And Their Little Boys’.
Blake and he had gone out for brunch this morning and later went shopping.
He picked the book off the shelf and beside Jayce on the bed to read to him.
“Story one.” Blake cleared his throat. A lump had suddenly gathered up there. He felt sorry for his little boy. Blake knew he was missing his mother terribly. He made a mental note to discuss him with Jolie, to find out if Jayce needs therapy of some sort. He just had to help his little boy. “The title is, ‘Little Ben and his Mom.”
“Once upon a time, in a cozy little house on a quiet street, there lived a little boy named Ben.” He started reading.
“Ben loved his mom more than ice cream and pizza combined! One evening, as the sun dipped into the sky, Ben’s mom tucked him into bed and said, “Close your eyes. I have a special surprise for you.”
As Ben snuggled under the blankets, his mom whispered, “Come with me!” and led him to the backyard. Out came a tiny, shimmering fairy, no bigger than a thumb! She introduced herself as Luna, the Moon Fairy.
Luna told Ben … told Ben that she needed his help to collect sparkling moonbeams to fill the night sky. Ben’s eyes grew wide with excitement as Luna handed him a special basket.
Together, they chased after the moonbeams, laughing and giggling as they bounced and twinkled around the yard. They chased after fireflies, and Luna used her fairy magic to make them glow even brighter. Ben felt like he was walking on clouds!
As they collected the moonbeams, the sky began to darken, and the stars started to twinkle. Luna guided Ben to a special spot where she sprinkled the moonbeams into the air. Instantly, the stars grew brighter, and the night sky became a dazzling display of sparkle and shine.
Ben’s mom called out from the window, “Time for bed, little one!” Ben hugged Luna and thanked her for the magical adventure. And went in to meet his mom.”
Blake smiled at Jayce, whose eyes were still wide open and said, “that is the end of the first story. Do you want me to continue?”
“Yes dad,” the little boy smiled back. “Please continue.”
“Okay,” Blake flipped the page. “Story two is ‘Little Ted and His Mother.’
“Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Ted. He had big brown eyes and a cute little nose. Ted loved to play and have fun, but most of all, he loved his mother.
One evening, as the sun began to set, Ted’s mother called him to bed. “It’s time to sleep, my little one,” she said. “You’ve had a long day of playing.”
Ted didn’t want to go to bed, but he knew he had to listen to his mother. He climbed into his cozy bed and snuggled up under the covers.
“Good night, my sweet boy,” said Ted’s mother. “Sleep tight.”
Ted closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He dreamed of all the wonderful adventures he would have the next day.
Suddenly, Ted heard a noise. He opened his eyes and looked around. The room was dark, and he could see a strange shadow moving in the corner.
Ted was scared. He wanted to call out to his mother, but he was too afraid. The shadow moved closer and closer, until it was right next to Ted’s bed.
Ted gasped in fear. But then, he realized that the shadow was just his mother. She had come to check on him.
“Are you okay, my little one?” she asked. “I heard a noise.”
“I’m okay, Mother,” said Ted. “I just had a bad dream.”
Ted’s mother smiled and kissed him on the forehead. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m here now. You’re safe.”
Ted closed his eyes and fell back asleep. He knew that with his mother by his side, he had nothing to fear.”
Jayce was already asleep by the time he finished reading the second story. Blake readjusted the comforter around his body. And kissed him on the forehead before leaving the room.