Done Adulting Vol. 2 Ch. 17

“Home again, home again,” Becky sang as she pulled into the garage. She got out and opened the passenger door to help Jamie down. “How are you feeling, Baby Bear?”

Jamie sighed. “Pretty good. Those pills were, uh, strong.” She’d given him something to help him sleep through the entire flight, and he didn’t remember much from when they got to their gate until he woke up at baggage claim. It was a dreamless, still sleep. “What are you doing,” Becky had asked when Amanda poked Jamie in his side on the plane.

“Making sure he’s still alive,” Amanda had answered back.

“Still sleepy,” Becky asked as she picked Jamie up out of his car seat.

“No, just still waking up.”

“I know what’ll wake you up,” Amanda said as she opened the door. Becky followed her in and put Jamie on his feet. They heard the sound of doggy feet trying to gain traction on the hardwood floor, and Kazoo burst out of the hallway and went straight for Jamie, who sat down on the floor to receive his puppy, all lolling tongue and wagging butt.

“Did you miss me,” Jamie asked as he scratched Kazoo behind his ears. “Was you a good boy? Hmm? Was you a good boy for Amy?”

Becky shook her head gently, thinking how funny it was that Jamie talked to Kazoo exactly how so many people had talked to him, to his dismay. She stepped around Jamie, who had upended his puppy and was rubbing its belly.

“Manda, where’d you go,” Becky called out.

Amanda appeared in the hallway with a handful of paper towels. “What is it you always say about cleaning, Mom? ‘Just clean as you go?’” Amanda knelt down to wipe up more drops of puppy piddle.

“Yeah, but I think I was talking about the dishes,” Becky replied. Amanda smiled back and turned her attention to Jamie.

“Hey!” Jamie looked up, surprised at Manda’s sharp tone. “What’re you doing to my puppy?”

“He’s my puppy,” Jamie said back with a smile. “Aren’t you? Yes, you are!”

Still on all fours, Amanda scurried toward them. Kazoo eagerly twisted himself around and got to his feet. Amanda made a show of planting her palms loudly on the floor in front of her. Kazoo did the same. Amanda did it again, and Kazoo jumped up and rushed toward her. She rushed toward him, sweeping him in front of her and gently knocking Jamie over in the process so all three were on the floor in a pile.

Becky took a picture with her phone.

“Who’s a good boy,” Amanda asked.

“Me,” Jamie replied with a laugh.

“You? Then I should be giving you this belly rub!” She put her hand under Jamie’s shirt and started lightly tickling his belly, making him giggle.

“So we’re unloading the car later then,” Becky surmised. No one heard her. She sighed and walked across the room to seat herself on the floor next to the pile.

“Home again home again,” she said quietly as she reached over and picked up Kazoo to scratch his head. “Anyone hungry,” Becky asked. She was. She had meant to go to the store before they left but hadn’t gotten to it.

“Do we have anything,” Amanda asked.

“Nope.”

“I’ll go,” Amanda volunteered as she sat up. Jamie did the same.

“Thanks.”

Amanda went to get her keys.

“Now what,” Jamie asked as he scooted over to Becky and leaned against her, reaching over to pet his dog.

“How about a real quick bath for both of us. I have airplane on me,” Becky said.

“Good idea.”

“C’mon,” Becky said as she set Kazoo down and stood up.

Amanda found them in the bathroom but stayed in the hall. “I’ll be back in like an hour.”

“Okay,” Becky replied as she poured water over Jamie’s head. “Thanks again”

“I can’t wait to see Ella,” Jamie said absentmindedly.

“She’ll be over midweek.”

“Not tomorrow?”

“Stacy decided to take a few days off work.”

“O,” Jamie said, disappointed. “Well, maybe we could have a play date before then.” It was hard for Jamie to not get to see Ella every day.

“I’ll ask,” Becky said. He wished Ella lived closer. “How about we go to the park tomorrow? Get some lunch after? Maybe go shopping or something?”

“Sure.” He loved summer vacation.