Baba Or Babe?

Little Lies Aren't All That Bad.

CW: mention of death, it's not graphic though 👍

I did the big weekly shop without Rocco, then picked him up from Zara. He was beginning to get restless as I pulled up, so I took him straight home to avoid stares from Zara. Rocco had a million and one questions about my whereabouts last night.

"Where did you go?" Rocco questioned.

"A bar."

"With who?"

"A friend."

"Why?"

"To talk with him, and get a few drinks."

"Did I have to stay with Auntie or could I have come home?"

"We stayed out quite late, Goose, probably best you were with Zara. That's why I saw him yesterday though, just in case we were out late. I knew you were safe."

Rocco nodded eventually.

"Did you want to come home?"

"No, but I wanted to come with you. I know all of your friends, I think?"

"I know, but it wasn't appropriate. We went to a bar, and kids can't be in bars."

"Why not? I wouldn't do anything bad."

"It's the rules kiddo, I don't know. How was your sleepover? MJ ever let go of you?"

"Barely, only to eat his food."
"Why does everyone call him MJ? His name is Mo, or Mohammed."

"Your great uncle was also called Mohammed, but he passed away a while ago. Do you remember me telling you? He had something wrong with his enzymes that break down sugar?"

Rocco nodded.

"Zara loves him very very much and wanted to honour his memory, therefore Mohammed Junior." I finished.

"Why am I not Mohammed Junior? I was here first."

"Because you're RJ, Rocco Jude. I love the name Rocco, and Zara called Mohammed." I chuckled as his expression softened slightly.

"So we're MJ and RJ?"

"Yes."

"I love Mo. He's super cute, and he can finally say Rocco and not just Rock. It was weird when he thought I was a rock."

Mohammed has a speech impediment. Rocco doesn't seem to care, or even understand what that would entail.

"He couldn't speak as well, but he's learning. He's so clever now, isn't he?"

"Super clever. Not as clever as me though."

"No, but you do have a three-year head start. Might be a little unfair to compare."

"Probably." He nodded.
"Did you know that space has so much radiation that if you took off the helmet you get for even one second, you would die from radiation poisoning, and then your dead body would get cancer all over?"

"I did know that, so let's keep our spacesuits on when we go, how about that?"

Rocco nodded. He must've got into the GCSE workbooks, because nobody else would've told him that. I appreciate his enthusiasm towards learning though.

"Are you going to Paris again? Ever?"

"Maybe, but hopefully I'll take you next time."

"You should take Nathan, and then get tickets for the Eiffel Tower, show him how easy it is."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"All three of us?"

"I guess so. Is he gay, because if he is, maybe bring a girl so it doesn't look like you're dating him."