Overnight

"Hi, I'm calling to make sure that I'll be able to pick up my niece from daycare this afternoon."
"Let's see. If you've been added to the release form you'll just need to bring ID. What's your niece's name?"
"Last name Smith, first name Hayden."
"Oh, HAYDEN. We know Hayden."
"Yes."
................................

James, J, and I are walking past the playground. James asks to go play, but we say no. Also, stay out of the mud. It's just a little breezy out, and it looks like it might start to sprinkle. A church bell chimes softly. We walk through the cool and silent portico, and in through the air-conditioned hum of the first set of double doors. We enter the empty foyer through the second double doors.
"Well, I'm not sure where she is, but I can hear Hayden."
...................................


"JAMES! ROY! AUNT JUUUULIEEEEE!"
"Hi Hayden, how are you?"
"I'M GONNA COME OVER TO YOUR HOUSE! I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE!"
"I know, we're so excited to have you over! It's just too bad that Liam can't come too."
"Yeah, my brover has the chicken cox."
.....................................

"We need to run some errands before we go back to our apartment, Hayden."
"Are we gonna go to WEGMANS?"
"Ooh, I yike Wegmans! I wanna cookie!"
"Hey, James learned to talk! He's not a baby anymore."
"Yeah, James has been talking for a long time, Hayden."
"He doesn't talk as good as me, though."
"No, he doesn't talk nearly as much."
"George wanna ride in the cart at Wegmans too!"
......................................

"ARE WE ALMOST TO WEGMANS YET?"
"We're getting close. Remember how we talked about using an inside voice in the car."
"Hed'n, I see it. I see Wegmans--yaaaay!!!!"
"YAYYY!!!!!"
<both children applaud wildly in the backseat as Wegmans comes into view>
..................................

"I wanna ride my bike."
"Hayden's riding your bike right now. In a few minutes you can switch and she can push your mower."
"OK."
"Just a sec, sweetie, my phone is ringing."
"Stay on the path, though, James."
"It's the realtor. Hello?"
"Hayden, don't get too far ahead."
"Where's Hed'n goin'?"
"Okay."
"That's a good place to wait for us. What does she say?"
"They accepted our offer on the house."
...........................

<splash splash, giggle giggle, splash splash>
"Careful Hayden, don't get water in James' eyes again."
"AAAAHHH! THIS WATER IS IN MY BRAAAAIN!"
"AAAAAHHH!"
<splash splash, giggle giggle, splash splash>
...........................

"Okay, let's say our prayers now. Help me to be loving, obedient,"
"HEY, I KNOW THIS PRAYER TOO!"
"That's right. Do you do it with Nama?"
"I do this prayer with my Grandma. She's your Mom."
"Mm-hm, and James knows it too. Should we say it all together?"
"Help me to be loving, obedient, truthful, and kind, and to keep others in mind. Praise for your glory, thanks for your goodness, forgive me the wrongs I've done, bless my friends and family, and bless me too."
"Love you guys. Sleep so good!"





































































































"AUNT JULIE, I NEED A HUG AND A KISS!!!"