I'll Fight Hell to Hold You

Party Plans

"It's August. " said Paul. "The triplets turn one in a month." "Let's plan their party. " said Paul to Tommy. "Do you want to buy the cake or decorate?"

"I don't care. Either one." said Tommy. He really didn't care. "I guess I'll go get the cake. Is it okay if I take Mady?"

"Of course. I'll get the diaper bag ready."

When Tommy left, Paul sighed. "He's still not better." He was elbow deep in looking through boxes of party stuff. 

At the store, Tommy headed to the bakery to look at cakes. Since each triplet liked different things, Tommy wondered what kind of cake to get. Taylor liked red and cats. Aurora liked pink and teddy bears and Hannah liked blue and flowers. That was overwhelming to Tommy so he had to call Paul. "Get three small ones. " 

"Three? I, um, okay." stuttered Tommy. He couldn't tell Paul that he couldn't find his credit card and had no money with him. The only thing he could do was order the cakes and tell them he'd pay later. Taking Mady, he headed back home. 

"Damn! I'm out of gas!" he swore. Instead of calling Paul to come get him, he took Mady and started walking. It started raining soon. Tommy tucked Mady in his jacket and kept walking. 

Paul started wondering where Tommy was after awhile. He heard the door open as Tommy finally walked in. He was soaked from head to toe. Handing Mady to Paul, he stood there shivering. "I-I-I walked home. I'm freezing."

Paul took Mady and put her in the crib. She was dry and asleep. Going back to the living room, he steered Tommy to the bathroom. "Where's the car?" 

"I, um, left it at the store. I didn't have enough gas to get home. I, um, can't find my credit card and I don't have money."

"Oh, Tom. Why didn't you call me?" sighed Paul. "Let's go shower."

Tommy was shivering even though it was August and warm.