“Whoa up, kid. Not without me,” Vance called out as Theo tried to open the gate. When he got there, he laid down the rules. “You hold my hand no matter what, understand. No chasing the animals if we see any. That’s their home out there.”
“Yes, sir. Yes, Van. Now, please?”
“Now.” Van smiled at his eagerness and opened the gate.
* * * *
“And Mommy I saw a chip…chip…”
“Chipmunk,” Van whispered, listening to Theo’s end of the conversation with Ginna.
Theo nodded and continued to tell Ginna everything he’d done including, “Yes Mommy, I brushed my teeth.” He chattered away for a couple of minutes more then said, “Miss you too, Mommy. Love you.”
After Theo hung up, he looked at Vance. “Snack?”
“Darn, kid, you eat like a horse. Yeah, sure, come on. Snack and then bed, and no arguments.”
“Yes, Van.” Theo raced to the kitchen, where he stood watching as Vance dug through the refrigerator for something to eat. “Ice cream?” He looked hopeful.