Lance leaned against his honda as he awaited the end of school. He glanced at his watch. 2:15. The bell should be ringing soon. He took a moment to glance at his wife sitting inside the blue vehicle. She was staring straight ahead, out the windshield, cradling their youngest child in her arms. Lance breathed in deeply and returned his gaze to the front of the school building. Soon the bell ran and from its doors, children flooded out. All rushing to get home to play. The laughter and shrill playful screams almost made Lance laugh as well. He surveyed the crowd of children, finally finding the one he was searching for. A small boy slowly wobbled out of the school; his head full of blond hair, his backpack hanging hap-hazardly on his shoulder. Lance sighed. He pushed off the car and began to head towards his son. But movement alongside his little boy made him pause.
Four other boys, maybe a year older than his son, walked over to the blond boy. They formed a semi-circle. Lance heard his wife shift and soon the car door open and shut.
"Oh Lance," her voice held a ting of pity in it. Lance looked over at her and shook his head. He went to rescue his son from the torment he knew was about to begin. But he felt his wife's gentle hand on his arm. "Wait," she said softly.
Lance looked on as the young boys prodded and teased his son. The little boy's bookbag fell to the ground with a thud and his Buzz Lightyear lunchbox clattered down soon after. Soon tears were streaming down the little boy's face and Lance couldn't take it anymore. He hurriedly walked over to his now crying son.
"James? C'mere," Lance said softly, kneeling in front of his child. He gently embraced the sobbing kindergartner.
Baby mine dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part
Baby of mine
A hour later, Lance sat with his wife on a park bench as she held their baby girl, and Lance watched James shuffle around the play area.
Lance hadn't asked for a child with a neurological disorder; but he loved him anyways. The disorder made the child shake constantly, which made walking and even talking difficult. He was too young and small to begin medication for the disorder, so for the time being, Lance had to watch his small child deal with the stares and ridicules of other, mindless people.
As James played, struggling to climb up the ladder to slide on the slide, giggling all the while, Lance couldn't help but allow a smile to cross his features. His son was one of the most determined people he knew. Out of the corner of his eye, Lance saw a pair of older boys whispering and pointing. but James paid no attention and continued to play.
Don’t you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear
Baby of mine
"I-i-i gonna get-get-get you Dad-daddy," the little boy exclaimed excitedly, the rocking of his body causing his speech to jerk.
"Oh no!" Lance cried in mock horror and made the small doll-Lance flee from the green G.I. Joes. James feel into a fit of giggles and managed to wobble into Lance's lap and place a sweet kiss on his Daddy's cheek.
"I--i-i wuv you-you Daddy," James cooed and rest his head on Lance's chest. Lance felt tears fill up his eyes.
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for the right to hold you
"O-o-otay Mommy," James said and looked over to Lance. "up!" he commanded.
With a chuckle Lance obeyed and stood, carrying James with him. He walked into his child's room and helped him change his pajamas.
you’re so precious to me
sweet as can be
Baby of mine
What they'd give just for the right to hold you
You're not much goodness knows
But your so precious to me
Sweet as can be
Baby of mine
Baby of mine