𝔪𝔞𝔡𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔪𝔢

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔯𝔱𝔶-𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔢

you and i walk a fragile line.

September 9, 2011

"DAADDDYYY!!!" Jimmy screeched as he ran into Tyler's bedroom without knocking. Tyler woke up as Jimmy climbed into the bed gift first. Tyler watched Jimmy struggle to get into the bed with something in each hand. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!" Jimmy exclaimed once he was in bed.

"Thank you," Tyler said, sitting up.

"Here, Daddy, I made you a card," Jimmy handed Tyler the card and watched him read it.

"Thanks, buddy!"

"I got you a gift too," Jimmy told Tyler as he gave him a wrapped box. Tyler tore the wrapping paper off, revealing an Apple box.

"You got me an iPad?!" Jimmy nodded his head, smiling. Tyler opened the box of his new iPad 2 and took it out. Examining it, he noticed it was engraved. 'Happy Birthday, Daddy. Love, Jimmy," he read to himself. "Nanna helped?" Jimmy nodded.

"I told her what to write on it, and she hid it under my bed yesterday." Tyler pulled Jimmy into him, giving his son a hug. Jimmy wrapped his arms around Tyler. "Thanks for being the best daddy ever," Jimmy stated during their embrace.

"Yeah, well, that's easy when you're the coolest son," Tyler replied before resting his arm on Jimmy, who had cuddled up to his father.

"Don't suck up. I'm not telling you what Nanna got you," he said, giggling. Tyler lightly pushed Jimmy away before raffling his hair. Jimmy laughed as he pushed Tyler's hand away. Tyler's attention went back to his new iPad. He turned it on and began the setup process. "Get dress so we can go to bretfits." Tyler looked up at Jimmy, who was standing by his dresser. Tyler didn't notice Jimmy get out of bed. He saw Jimmy was wearing a light blue button-up with khaki shorts, a yellow sweater vest, and a pair of blue, yellow, and white sneakers.

"You dressed yourself?" Jimmy nodded. "You know you can't wear that shirt to school."

"I'm not going to school," Jimmy told him.

"Is that so?"

"Yep, we're going to bretfits and to Nanna's," Jimmy answered, picking up Tyler's wallet and keys. "Let's go! Get dressed."

"And if I say you are going to school?" Tyler questioned, putting the iPad to the side and getting out of bed.

"Then I'm telling Nanna on you," Jimmy replied before poking his tongue out at Tyler.

***

"You've reached Tyler A. Barlow. I am unable to get to my phone right now, but leave a brief message and I'll get back to you as soon as I possibly can."

"Hey Ty...ler. I just called to tell you Happy Birthday. I hope you have a good day. Bye." Jacey took the phone from her ear and pressed end as she pulled up to Kim's house and blew the horn.

"Tyler giving you a dose of your own medicine?" Abby asked.

Jacey put the car in park and took her foot off the brake before she leaned back in her seat, sighing. "Seems that way, but he could be busy. I don't know." She looked over out of the window, watching the trees blow in the wind as she thought about Tyler and how things went from good to bad so quickly yesterday. She let out a deep sigh as she heard the back car door open and close.