Second part of the series. Two steps forward...
Jake and David and their kids started spending time together on the weekends. They had barbeques at each other's homes, picnics by the lake, went bike riding, and even to one of those water parks. Seven year old Lily, David's youngest, and Scout, Jake's baby, took quite a liking to one another; Lily seemed to think of Scout as her doll and Scout was more than content to be entertained by the older child.
David's son ten year old son Evan, was a bit of a different story. He was always a quiet kid with his nose in a book before his mother died. He was even quieter and more withdrawn in the year since her death. David took him to a therapist, who he was slowly opening up to. But it was hard. He didn't like change to begin with; having your mother taken from you at such a young age was simply torture. David was attentive and present. And worried.
One Sunday afternoon, the two dads and their kids went exploring at the Minnehaha Falls, a relatively small waterfall in the heart of Minneapolis. The dads brought a picnic and set out the food on a picnic blanket. Scout, now ten months old, couldn't crawl yet, but she could sit up. Lily was quite content to read her stories and sing her songs. Evan sat a bit away, reading a book under a tree.
Jake and David took out the various foods and talked about their weeks.
"It's fourth of July next week," David said quietly. "We usually go to my in-law's cabin up north. We didn't go last year because it was only a couple months after Stephanie died. They really want me to bring the kids up." He looked at Jake who was listening intently while also keeping his eye on Lily and Scout who were seated on a picnic blanket less next them.
Jake looked at David with understanding. "But it's just too painful for you to go," he said. It wasn't with pity. He understood the internal conflict.
David stared up at the blue sky. Jake spoke up, "My in laws think that we shouldn't be here for Scout's first birthday. It's too close to Susie's death. So they want to take us all on a Cruise in Mexico..."
David wanted to be supportive. "Well maybe a cruise wouldn't be terrible," he tried, but his heart wasn't in it.
Jake cocked his head sideways. "Dude. Do I look like the kinda guy who belongs on a cruise?"
The both laughed. "No, I guess not," David responded.
Evan came over from the tree and took a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He smiled at both of them. With his mouth full of food, he looked at his dad. "You know Dad, Lily and I could go up to the cabin and you could stay here if you don't want to go." There was no anger in his voice. He was very matter of fact.
David smiled and felt his heart swell. "Thanks my boy. I didn't realize that we were talking so loudly. I'm sorry. I'll go with you. It will be fun," the dad said, but truthfully, he said it half-heartedly.
"Dad," Evan sighed. "It will be a lot of fun for me and Lily to go to the cabin with Nana and Poppy. We can fish. We can swim. Nana will bake us cookies and Poppy will tell ghost stories and we get to stay up late, eat s'mores for dinner, and have Frosted Flakes for breakfast every day!"
Jake laughed. "Smores are my favorite, Evan!" He said, watching Evan smile. "But this is serious."
Evan's eyes widen. "What?" he asked Jake.
Jake's brow furrowed. "Are you the kinda guy who toasts his marshmallows so their nice and brown? Or are you one of those dudes who lights 'em on fire until they're good and burnt?"
"Jake," Evan said shaking his head. "There is one and only one way to roast a marshmallow. And that it is golden brown, so the outside is slightly crispy and the inside is warm and gooey." He folded his arms. The kid was serious.
Jake burst out laughing. "Whew! I'm so glad. If you were one of those guys who burns the marshmallows, I was gonna have to pack up my stuff and get outta here. Cuz I just can't be friends with guys who burn their marshmallows!" Evan started laughing, too. And David beamed. For the first time since Stephanie died, Evan looked happy.
On the way home later that afternoon, Evan was chattier than usual. "Dad," he said. "Two things. First, please can Lily and me go to the cabin?"
