Page 113 of Fake it For Good
Benji appeared at the top of the stairs. “Look at that handsome dude!” Cane exclaimed.
Benji’s face lit up. “Look at my tie, Dad.”
I heard him suck in a breath. “No tears,” I whispered.
“Damn, the kid kills me,” he whispered.
Benji walked downstairs in his black suit that looked similar to Cane’s. His red tie was decked out with flashing green Christmas trees. He had picked it out himself. “You look very handsome,” I told him.
“Are we going to the party now?” he asked.
“We are,” I said. “Dad has the car all warmed up.”
Benji reached for Cane’s hand. I walked behind them on our way to the garage. Benji was ours. Really ours. The adoption had cleared two weeks ago. The boy was the light of my life. He was thriving in our care. With Cane’s money, we were able to get him the best care. We had tutors that came to the house twice a week to get him caught up with school. Every day it looked like he was learning a little more.
We got to the hotel where the annual party was being held. Things were a little different this year. Kids were being welcomed. It was a family affair. Cane had pushed for it. There was still an adult party on the books, but we had no intention of going. We preferred to stay home with our family.
I had loved the theme from last year and made it known. Cane, my hero, made sure it was brought back but heavier on the wonderland theme.
“Look at the lights!” Benji exclaimed.
“And the trees.” I pointed. “It looks like a forest in here!”
“It’s so pretty,” he said. “Can I touch it?”
“What do you want to touch?”
“The trees,” he replied.
“Absolutely,” I said. “Just be very gentle.”
There were thousands of lights hanging from the ceiling. Glittery snowflakes in all shapes and sizes mingled between the lights. White trees in all sizes were set up around the room. The sidewalks were white and silver.
“Is that chocolate?” Benji asked and pointed to the massive fountain.
“It sure is, buddy,” Cane said. “Do you like it?”
“I love it! I want to go swimming in it!”
I held his hand a little tighter just in case he got some grand idea to actually do it. “Let’s not do that,” I said, laughing.
“Do you want to see Santa?” Cane asked.
“Yes!” Benji jumped up and down.
We followed the path with the sign pointing to the North Pole. Santa was sitting on his big red chair. His elves were keeping the kids in line and making sure they all got a gift after speaking with Santa. The elf handing out the gifts looked at me. I waited for her to say something. Anything.
“Hello, Kelly,” Cane said. “I’d like you to meet our son, Benji.”
Her lips quirked. I saw the venom behind her eyes. If she said one sideways word to my kid, she was going to be eating her pointy little elf shoe and I knew she needed this job. “Hello, Benji,” she finally muttered. “I guess you’re a VIP. Why don’t you take the spot at the front of the line?”
“No, thank you,” I said. “We don’t want Benji to believe he’s better than any other child here because of who his father is. He’ll wait his turn. It’s important we teach him manners and humility. I’d hate for him to grow up thinking he’s entitled.”
She shot me a dirty look. “Whatever.”
I led Benji to the back of the line. Cane leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I love you.”
“Thank you, but why?”
