Since I have received such wonderful feedback regarding the first two stories I shared from Growing Older with Phil and some of you are eagerly waiting to find out what happens next, I decided to share the next story’s first draft for my monthly story to my awesome supporters.
If you haven't read First Date yet, I suggest you read it first. While not strictly necessary, it will provide some context for Second Phone Call. You can find it here:
Book Announcement and Story: First Date — Nancy Golden
And if you haven’t read Second Phone Call, which I shared last month, read that next: Second Phone Call — Nancy Golden
If you have read those, you will have the context for this month’s story—Enjoy!
If I Had my Druthers and Let Him Be a Boy
Phil arrived bright and early at my house for our trip to the zoo. He was carrying a small cooler when he came to the door. I felt so awkward after the previous night’s conversation. I stepped back to let him in and Josh burst into the living room, very excited to meet our guest.
Phil smiled and put down the ice chest to greet him.
“Hello, Josh.”
“Hi,” mumbled Josh shyly, suddenly becoming timid at this tall stranger in our home.
Phil looked down at him and dropped to his knees right there by the door. His smile widened into a grin. He raised his arms in the classic strong man’s pose of showing off his muscles.
“Come on big boy, show me what you got!”
A Boy in Red and Black Spider Man Costume / Pavel Danilyuk / pexels.com
Josh’s face lit up like a Christmas tree and facing Phil with a huge smile, he lifted his skinny arms and returned the pose. He was wearing his Spiderman's costume and he looked so proud.
Phil reached over and gently squeezed his arm and gave a low whistle. “Quite a muscle you have there!”
Josh looked like he would burst with pride. I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe it was going to be okay after all. The day was supposed to be all about Josh and they had gotten off to a great start.
* * *
Phil stood and picked up the ice chest. He didn’t meet my eyes and asked if he could fill it with some more ice from my freezer. The awkwardness returned in force. He went about the task stoically, not saying much.
Josh was full of little boy energy. He was a welcome distraction as I tried to navigate getting him ready and gathering the things a mother always brings when venturing out with young children… sunscreen, snacks, juice boxes, wipes…
We were finally ready to exit the house. Rather than moving Josh’s car seat into the van, we decided to take my car, and Phil would drive. I got Josh settled in his car seat (with a zillion cartoon stickers stuck to his window, almost obscuring the view) in my very practical Chevy Lumina. I sat in the passenger side, grateful for the center console separating us as I attempted to adopt a nonchalant air. Phil had said nary a word about the previous night’s conversation (or much of anything else). We got on the George Bush toll way and just as we reached the ramp that would take us onto the highway toward the Dallas Zoo, I blurted out, “So, what did you think about what I read to you last night?”
Man driving modern car / www.kaboompics.com / pexels.com
Phil glanced at me but fortunately stayed focused on his driving since we were on the ramp that was elevated over the highway as it turned and merged onto 35E.
“If I had my druthers, I’d scoop you up and take you to the JP right now.”
My mouth opened in surprise and my eyebrows crinkled in puzzlement.
“But… you said ‘Okay’ to everything I read to you last night.”
He glanced at me again, with a half-smile.
“‘Okay’ meant I was agreeing to do things your way.”
“So, you weren’t just acknowledging what I was reading.” I stared intently at him. “And you are willing to not date anyone else.”
“You are correct.”
I smiled, “Oh!” What else was there to say…
* * *
We arrived at the Dallas Zoo and parked. It felt good to be together. It almost felt like we were a family. Phil and I had agreed in advance not to hold hands in front of Josh. It was way too early in our relationship, and we didn’t want to confuse him or create an expectation that may not be met.
Boy Wearing Red, Brown, and White Stripe Sweater Running Photo / Luna Lovegood / pexels.com
We followed Josh as he ran from exhibit to exhibit, stopping to watch the monkeys racing about their enclosure, and the elephants playing in the water. He shrieked with delight when they splashed water at him with their trunks, while enjoying the cotton candy we bought for him, his cheeks plastered with blue strands of the sugary treat.
Little boy child; courtesy IlonaBurschl / pixabay.com
A stream meandered through one section of the zoo, about three feet wide and enclosed by cement, laced with large rocks on either side. Josh approached the edge of the stream and eyed the other side. I knew exactly what he was doing, something I had done many times in my childhood… he was gauging the distance in order to jump across.
One of the hazards of single parenthood is that it is very hard to achieve a balance. My mothering instincts went into hyper overdrive. I started to walk forward, about to open my mouth to stop him, when I heard Phil speak in a low voice, “Let him be a boy.”
I halted in my tracks and swallowed nervously. Phil briefly squeezed my arm. “It’ll be okay.”
I nodded without turning around, my eyes glued to the little person standing at the stream’s edge that my entire world revolved around.
Josh had tossed the remainder of his cotton candy into a nearby trash receptacle. He gazed at the stream for a moment, then gathered himself, and leapt—my heart pounding as I watched him soar across the water—and safely onto the other side!
Smiling Boy Pointing His Hands to the Side / HARUN BENLİ / pexels.com
He immediately turned around with a huge smile on his face, “Look what I did, Mommy!” I waved and cheered and his little chest puffed out with pride as he struck a Power Ranger pose.
In that moment, I realized just how much a little boy needs a father. God’s perfect design for family doesn’t always happen in this broken world we live in. My love for my son would carry us through, but Josh also needed a man in his life to show him how to be one. I was very grateful to Phil for taking on that role, at least for one day.