Let's Not Talk About Tomorow

Jake

I dragged my feet along the floor, scuffing the whites of my trainers. Everything was dull and grey. Daddy wouldn't let me play outside in the garden because it was raining. Instead I had to come food shopping with him and Papa, it's soooooooo boring. Papa wasn't in a good mood either, he never was after a check up at the big, scary hospital.

"Jake, pick your feet up when you walk" Daddy sighed after he glanced over at me. I scowled and started to stomp instead. Daddy threw me a look then made me stop instantly, smiling sheepishly. He just rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair.

Daddy pushed the trolley further up the aisle so he could place some products into it. Papa sidled up to him and wrapped himself around him from behind.

"What do you want, baby?" Daddy asked wearily "don't even bother asking if you can have something. Essentials only"

"But-"

"No" Daddy said firmly "Jake, will you get a bottle of ketchup?" I nodded and skipped over to the sauces.

"Benny" Papa whined "I want ice cream!"

"Please, Daddy!" I joined in, smiling enthusiastically "Please can we get some ice cream?!"

"Ice cream is not on the list" He waved a slip of paper that listed everything we need "I don't see ice cream" Jon snatched the paper out of his hand and the pen he was holding to cross out items. He scribbled something down and handed it back to him. "You're so annoying, princess" He smiled, leaning over to peck Papa on the lips.

"It's on the list, Benny" Papa batted his eyelashes at Daddy

"Not anymore" He said as he crossed it out "Stop trying to make me feel bad" He mumbled under his breath

"Benny! I want it! Stop being mean!" He crossed his arms and scowled "I'm not moving until you get some ice cream" To make a point, he sat down in the middle of the aisle. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's the child, me or Papa.

"Stop being a brat or I'll leave you here" Papa screwed his face up, his cheeks rapidly turning red. "Fine! Get some fucking ice cream!" Daddy snapped

"Daddy... you said a naughty word" I said tentatively

"I'm sorry" He sighed, speaking more to Papa than me. "I'm sorry" He pulled him to his feet and hugged him, burying his face in his hair. "I love you. I love you. I'm sorry"

"Can I get some ice cream now?" Papa asked, his voice muffled

"You're not... upset?" Daddy pushed him away gently and looked into his eyes

"No" Papa ducked under his arms and opened the freezer next to him, pulling out a tub of Ben and Jerry's cookie dough ice cream."Thank you, Benny. I love you" He stood on his tip-toes and kissed Daddy's cheek.

I perked up instantly and the rest of our shopping trip sailed smoothly. The second we arrived home, Papa and I eagerly waited for Daddy to give us some ice cream but he didn't. Instead he packed it away in the freezer.

"You're not eating ice cream before you have your tea" Daddy informed us "And nothing you do will convince me otherwise" He took Papa's hands and twirled him around "Help me cook tea, baby?"

"Okay" Papa giggled. "Jake, are you going to help too?"

"No, I'm going to play with my toys" I stuck out my chin and stalked out of the room.

Typical. Just as I got to a really intense part of the battle between my Lego's, Daddy shouted for me to come and eat my tea. I ignored him so I could finish playing. However, Papa jogged upstairs and poked his head around my door.

"Jakey, tea time" He smiled

"Papa, this bit is really epic" I muttered as I made one Lego pirate viciously stab the other.

"Your tea will go cold and you won't get any ice cream" At the mention of ice cream my head snapped up and I bolted downstairs. I wolfed my tea down but instantly regretted it. It's a basic house rule that we have to wait until Papa finishes eating before we can leave the table. I don't know if Papa is aware of that house rule. He wasn't even close to half-way.

After what felt like an eternity, Papa finally finished eating. I wanted to go straight back upstairs so I could finish playing but Daddy stopped me because it was Family Night. I had forgotten....again. Together we all cuddled up on the sofa, Daddy was in the middle, securing us in his warm arms. Daddy went into the kitchen half-way through the movie and returned with 2 bowls of ice cream.Gleefully, I took mine. Papa was nearly asleep, although he soon woke up at the sight of ice cream.

"Do you want some, Daddy?" I offered my spoon to him. He shook his head "Why not, Daddy? You never eat anything unhealthy, treat yourself"

"I can't, Jake" He sighed "It might make me ill"

"Only if you eat too much" I argued

"Jake, I had cancer about 7 years ago" He explained "Food like that could bring it back"

"Oh" Was the only response I could muster

"Don't worry, I'm perfectly healthy" He assured me "It's not coming back if I can't help it"

"Good" I kissed his cheek and carried on eating my ice cream "I love you, Daddy"

"I love you too, Jake" He smiled.

Much later, Daddy and Papa were both fast asleep on the sofa. The ice cream bowls were stacked neatly on the floor. I wriggled out from underneath Daddy's arm and crept over to other side of the room,pulling a soft, fluffy blanket from a woven basket tucked away by the side of the other sofa. I covered them with it and took the bowls into the kitchen. I was too small to reach the sink properly so I just left them on the side. Next I switched off the TV and lights.Finally I slipped away upstairs and fell fast asleep the second my head made contact with my pillow.