Page 6 of Icebound Hearts

“I have another surprise for you,” I add, and Jake’s eyes snap to mine. “What do you think about going to Strike Zone in a little bit?”

His eyes—nearly the same color gray as mine—open wide. “Really?”

“Yup, really.”

“Yay!” Jake bounces up and down on the couch with Chewy, holding the rabbit out like they’re dancing together.

“We have to leave soon though, so you know what that means.”

My son nods quickly, then scrambles off the couch, leaving Chewy behind. “Clean- up time!”

He darts around the living room, haphazardly putting away the toys he left out—and that Brittany failed to take care of—before zooming to his bedroom to tidy up in there too.

While he’s distracted, I go into the kitchen to see what other messes Brittany left for me, and although I’m disappointed to find a few dirty dishes left in the sink from their lunch, it could be worse. I rinse them quickly and put them in the dishwasher, and Jake races back into the living room a moment later and scoops Chewy off the couch.

“Got everything?” I ask, and he nods enthusiastically.

“Yup!”

“Did you wash your hands? Brush your teeth?”

His gaze darts sideways. “Well… I was gonna brush my teeth, but I’m gonna eat pizza at the?—”

“Step to it, mister.”

“But, Daddy?—”

“No buts.” I shake my head. “We never skip the pre-game warmup, remember? That’s how we lose the game.”

Jake wrinkles his nose but acquiesces, heading back upstairs to brush his teeth. I check the mail on the counter quickly, then make my way to the upstairs bathroom to check Jake’s work. He spits out the toothpaste and swishes with water, glancing at me in the mirror.

“Alright, let’s see ’em,” I say. Jake bares his teeth so I can inspect them, and I give him a thumbs up. “Good work, buddy. Don’t forget your rinse.”

“Do I have to?” He makes a face.

“Yup. Unless you want another trip to the dentist.”

Jake shudders dramatically. He got his first cavity a few months ago, and he did not enjoy that dentist visit, so he’s been pretty motivated to keep his teeth in tip-top shape since then. He reaches for the fluoride rinse, and I pull my phone out and tap the stopwatch app, then set it on the counter so he can see it.

“Sixty seconds on the clock.”

Jake puffs out his cheeks as he swishes the liquid in his mouth and flaps his arms, as goofy and animated as ever. He does this every time, but it still makes me laugh. He calls it the “Swish Fish” because he says it makes him look like a swimming fish.

“We’re almost out of time! Will he or won’t he score?” I ask in my best imitation of an announcer’s voice as the clock reaches ten seconds.

Jake jukes left and right in front of the sink as if he’s the Aces’ next star center, and when the timer goes off, he spins dramatically and spits the rinse into the sink.

“Goal!” We say the word together as we high-five. Then I nod, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Alright, let’s get in the car before we’re late.”

We head out the door together, but as I turn to lock up, Jake tugs on my arm. “Wait, Daddy, you didn’t do your gear check!”

I smack myself lightly on the forehead. “Duh! We always do the gear check.” I pat my pockets, making sure I’ve got my keys, wallet, and phone, then flash him a thumbs up. “Gear secured. Let’s get this game started.”

He races me to the car and flings the back door open to crawl inside. He flops into the booster seat and waits for me to buckle him in, just like we always do.

“Is anyone else coming? Maybe Uncle Theo or Uncle Reese?” Jake asks as we drive.

I glance at him in the rearview mirror. “Actually, someone elseiscoming, but not either of them. Do you remember Violet? Uncle Reese’s sister?”