Candy Apple Red - Book Two

Chapter 22 - Coffee Date

Seth's POV

"Wake up, John Luke. We have things to do today, little man." 

He stirs as he opens his eyes, stretching his arms up over his head; he yawns, "Mornin daddy." 

"Let's get you in the tub; you have dried spaghetti sauce all over your hair. What a messy little dude." I tell him as I push myself off the bed and walk into the hall bathroom.

I can hear the pitter-patter of little feet behind me as I walk in, "Go ahead and sit on the potty chair, son. Let's take off that wet pull up."

"Okay, daddy." 

John Luke strips off the wet pull up and sits down on the potty chair quietly, waiting for instruction. I turn the knobs on the bathtub faucet and wait for it to get to the right temperature. I turn to look at John Luke, "Did you pee yet?"

He shakes his head from side to side and inserts his finger into his nose, "You digging for gold, buddy?" I ask curiously. 

He flashes a grin before he pulls his finger out of his nose and inserts it into his mouth, "Well, I bet that tastes good. That ought to build your immunity," I say jokingly. 

He nods his head and giggles, "You ready to get in the tub now?" I ask. 

"Yes, pwease." 

He stands from the potty seat and climbs into the tub. I glance down at the potty chair to find it empty. I feel bad, I've been working on potty training him for months now, and he hasn't peed in the potty one time. I don't think the babysitters are even trying to keep him on a routine. It's so frustrating.

Once I pour the bubble bath in the tub, he gets carried away and splashes water out onto the tile floor, "Whoa bub, let's keep the water in the tub, okay?"

I lean down and begin to scrub the dried spaghetti sauce from his hair. I admit I was way too tired when I got home to deal with it. It's like cement now, geez. John Luke grimaces as I scrub his scalp with my fingers, "Sorry, bub." I tell him apologetically. 

Once I get him cleaned up and dressed for the funeral, I get him situated in front of the television as I get myself ready. I come out into the living room when I'm done, "Look at us, we are a couple of handsome dudes with matching suits." 

He stands up, smiling as he sticks his thumb up, "Yeah!" he yells. 

"Alright, buddy, It's 12:30 pm; let's head out for the funeral. No funny business today. You need to be good, or I won't take you to the park tomorrow." 

"Okay, daddy." 

I take his hand, lead him out to the truck, lift him into the car seat in the back before climbing into the driver seat, and speed off down the road. 

After a few moments, we arrive at the funeral home. I realize it's going to be a tearful day for everyone. A lot of townsfolk, not just family, loved Norma. It's gonna be packed wall to wall. 

After parking next to Dylan's truck, I climb out and unfasten John Luke from his car seat before leading him inside. We weave through the crowds of people gathering in the lobby and have a seat in the room where Norma's casket is. I can't take John Luke up there; he's too little to see this. It may give him nightmares. 

The two of us wait patiently and scan the room as individuals line up to pay their last respects to Norma. Dylan is standing at the front; he spots me and nods in my direction. Suddenly, his attention is directed into the lobby when he hears his name being called. He darts in the front with a smile on his face. I turn around to get a glimpse of who he is greeting, but there are way too many people blocking the view. I turn back around to face the front and place my arm behind John Luke; he lays his head on my chest.