Chapter 2-1
687 Words
Chapter 2
“Thank you for coming, sweethearts,” Adam cooed to the twin girls standing next to their parents. They were about Holly’s age or slightly older. “I hope you enjoy the dolls. See you again.”
He smiled wider when they waved at him before leaving the toy store. He waited until they exited through the automatic sliding doors before turning and walking toward his private office. He had received several shipments earlier this morning and needed to make sure the items and quantities were accurate. Moreover, it was necessary to check for obvious damages, if any, so he could bring them to the attention of the suppliers.
He had a strong feeling he would be working overtime tonight, even though it was a Saturday and his normal hours were eight until seven. Sometimes he was ridden with guilt because he didn’t get to spend as much time as possible with Lance, Nathan, and Holly, especially on the weekends, but he was trying to save enough money to purchase a building large enough to house both the store and an upper floor that could be renovated into an apartment for the four of them.
“Excuse me.”
The little girl startled him out of his reverie and he squatted so they could converse more comfortably. He did not want her to strain her neck looking up at him; he was six-four and she would really have to bend her neck backward to see him properly.
“Hi, little lady. How may I help you?”
“I need to buy some toys, please.”
“Alright. You’ve come to the right place, but where are your mommy and daddy?”
“I don’t have a mommy, but Daddy is somewhere—”
“Megan!”
Adam’s head swiveled in the direction of the voice. A well-dressed man was running frantically toward them from one of the aisles.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“Megan, don’t do that ever again! I thought I had lost you.”
Adam shifted rather uncomfortably when the man ignored his presence and pulled the girl into a tight embrace, but he was also touched at the scene in front of him.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I was just walking around to look at all of the toys. Then—”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I…Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Michael Lambert. My daughter’s name is Megan, which I’m sure you know, seeing that I’ve just shouted her name loud enough for the entire store to overhear. Thanks for finding her.”
Adam smiled and shook his head at the man’s obvious embarrassment. “I’m Adam. Actually, she found me because she wanted to buy some toys. I own this store. Don’t worry about your loud voice, though. This store is filled with screaming children and adults almost all the time.”
“Uh, okay. Cool. Megan, sweetheart, do you know what toys you want?”
“I…I don’t know, Daddy.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you like, Megan?” Adam piped up.
“I…I don’t know, Mr. Adam. Daddy said I could have some new toys to play with my friends when they come over.”
“And what do your friends like?”
“I’m not sure. They are twins, Mr. Adam.”
“Boys or girls?”
“One boy and one girl, Mr. Adam. Their names are Nathan and Holly. I really like them. I don’t have any brothers or sisters to play with.”
“Nathan and Holly? Wait a minute. You’re Megan Lambert. Your teacher’s name is Lance Johnson?”
“Yes, he is. Do you know him, Mr. Adam?”
“Lance is my boyfriend, Megan. Nathan and Holly are our kids.”
“So you’re Mr. Johnson’s boyfriend?” the man queried.
Adam had been so enraptured by the adorable girl that he had momentarily forgotten her father. “Yes, I am.”
“This is such a coincidence. Megan and I are going to ask Mr. Johnson if Nathan and Holly could come to our house for a play date next weekend.”
“I think that will be fine, Mr. Lambert, but let me double-check with Lance first.”
“Great. Just call me Mike or Michael, please. Let me have your phone number then.”
“Cool, I’ll give you Lance’s number as well.”
“Okay.”
The men exchanged phone numbers before heading toward the aisles one at a time so Megan could choose the toys she wanted. She ended up selecting plenty of toys, and she left the store holding her father’s hand, a huge smile on her face.
Adam bade the father and daughter duo farewell before proceeding to his office. He really needed to get started on the new shipments, otherwise he would be doing a minimum of two hours overtime. He didn’t think that would go down well with Lance or the twins. After all, he had already returned home late twice this week.
- Writer
