A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 48- Settle down time

(Matt's pov)

Mama sits on the potty while I stand on my stool to brush my teeth in front of the sink. She reminds me to get all of them.

"Top and bottom, front and back."

Mama reads her book and laughs.

"What are you laughing at, Mama?"

Toothpaste drips down my chin, and I wipe it with the back of my hand.

"Just something funny in my book. You have thirty seconds left."

I see Papa in the mirror, coming out of his room and walking to us.

"Okay, Little prince, put your toothbrush up."

Mama puts her book down and sees Papa too.

"Hey, do you want to give him goodnights? He's settling down for the night."

"Yeah, but I also want to talk about earlier when you get a chance."

Mama seems sad before she smiles.

"Of course. Does she seem to be feeling better?"

Papa now is the one who seems sad.

"We'll talk about it in a moment."

I jump off my stool and grab onto Papa. He catches me like he always does.

"Oh woe, hey, how about we tell Papa before doing that again. I almost didn't catch you."

He jumps me up as he situates me differently in his arms so that I'm not slipping.

"Eeaahs!"

"Eeaahs."

I hug him tight around his neck and pretend to kill him like we do every night.

"Eeeeeeah!"

Papa leans his head to the side with his eyes closed while Mama walks out of the bathroom, patting Papa on the back before she does.

Papa opens his eyes back up and tickles me.

"Dead people can't tickle."

"They can if they're zombies."

Papa pretends to eat me, and I squeal.

"No, stop, stop."

Laughing, Papa does before we finish our goodnights.

"Foreheads!"

Papa puts his forehead on me before kissing me on the cheek and one last hug. He puts me down.

"Did you go potty?"

I shake my head.

"I want you to at least try, okay? I'm going to talk to Mama and grab your water. Do you want your blue sippy or green?"

"Green, can I tell Wendy goodnight?"

"Not tonight, okay?"

But I want to!

I get sad again, to where it feels too much.

"Please!"

Papa gets on his knees in front of me and puts his hands on my shoulders.

"I understand that you really want to, and that's very nice of you. I'm very proud of you for how good you've been with Wendy. But she's not feeling good right now, and is already asleep. It wouldn't be nice to wake up, okay?"

I still want to give Wendy goodnights, but Papa's right. It wouldn't be nice to wake her up when she's not feeling good.

"Okay."

Papa smiles and messes up my hair before leaving the bathroom.