Don't Pester The Ski Patrol • L.S.

12

"You're a little rat, you know that?"

I giggle into the receiver. "Whatever could you possibly mean, H?"

"You know what I mean," he grits his teeth, and I'd really believe he was mad if I knew that he wasn't. "I opened that right before a meeting with the people at Prairie's daycare. That should make me look good, huh? The former teen dad they already doubt opening sexts in a DAYCARE?"

"It was an innocent message!"

"Innocent?" He whispers into the receiver, probably not wanting to be overheard. "I have watched porn more innocent than that."

"I don't think you're watching the right stuff, then." I truly make myself laugh.

"God, you are so lucky Prairie is awake right now. Otherwise, I would -" He stops himself. "I can't have this conversation with my daughter in the room."

Okay, so, maybe I sent Harry a provocative message that may or may not have detailed things I would enjoy him doing to me, and vice versa. I have genuinely never sent a sext in my life because it's always been too risky. With him, I didn't give it a second thought. Milestones, people. Milestones.

"Okay, fine, Mr. Sexually Frustrated. Tell me about the meeting."

He sighs, and from somewhere in the room I can hear a distinct toddler giggle. "It went really well, actually. Which is crazy because they always go awful. Hey, puppy bug, don't put that in your mouth!"

"Why do they always go awful?"

"Well, you know that whole thing about everybody thinks I'm doing everything wrong?" He says nonchalantly. "The attendants at the daycare are surely no exception."

"Aw babe," I say sadly. "That's horrible. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. They told me today that Prairie's been a lot more active than usual which is great, because lately she's been so fatigued. Then I told them about how she's been behaving at home and for once they didn't seem skeptical of me. Can you believe it? I finally convinced someone for a split second that I'm not doing a bad job."

"I don't think you're doing a bad job," I point out.

"Yeah, but you don't count." He tells me, and then I can hear him softly scold Prairie again. "How was talking to Johannah?"

"Awful as always. At least she didn't try to coerce me into anything new today." I say dryly.

"Sounds like a win to me, darling."

Darling. I love how cute he is with pet names for both me and Prairie. It makes me feel adored. You'd think I'd get sick of feeling adored, but turns out when it's the right person, you can't get enough.

"I'm just glad she's not asking when I plan on leaving again."

"When you plan on leaving?" He repeats.

"You know, to go back to Hell."

"Oh," he sounds dejected. "When is that?"

I shouldn't have mentioned it. God, I shouldn't have mentioned it.

"Well, I have to go back for about a week or so for the godforsaken Christmas special. After that, I'll play it by ear."

"Oh."

"What?"

"It's just that -" He's interrupted by a very distinct crash in the background.

"Prairie!" He yelps, and then sighs into the receiver again. "I'm sorry. Either somebody gave her an energy drink at daycare today, or she is feeling deprived of my attention."