“Will I recognize Daddy?”Arne asked.
“I think so.He’d have told us if he was going to be hidden in a costume.”
Fortunately it wasn’t long before Erik was on the set.There was stuff happening, people telling the actors and lights where to go, and then everyone got quiet and the scene began.
Erik was good.I hadn’t seen him in anything but a college theater thing, and I was anxious on his behalf.But while acting, he was a different person from the man I knew, and he was just as believable as the other actors.They shot the scene two more times before everyone relaxed again and backed off.
“What happens next?”Arne asked.
“We wait for your dad.”
“I mean, what’s next in the story?”
“They don’t always shoot scenes in order.The next scene might be from the beginning of the show, or the end.”
Arne’s brow creased.“But that doesn’t make sense.”
Erik showed up then.“Ready to eat?”
Arne nodded.“Yeah!And Mommy says you don’t go from beginning to end!”
Erik ruffled Arne’s hair.“That’s right.”
“But then how does it work?It has to be a story on TV.”
I shot Erik a grin.I listened to him describe editing and sets and actor constraints to a very confused Arne while I ate a tasty meal I hadn’t prepared.
We didn’t stay much longer.They were going to work for a couple more hours before they wrapped for the day, and Erik understood that Arne had to get to bed before school.When Erik asked, Arne was happy to agree to come another time.I narrowed my eyes at Erik.If he wanted to make this a regular thing, he’d better be able to take care of Arne on his own, because I couldn’t drop all my responsibilities to watch my ex work.
Erik caught my expression.“I’ll have to arrange that with your mom.Thanks for coming!”
Arne wrapped his arms around Erik.“It was great.I can’t wait to tell Barney!”
Erik’s smile was a little smug.
Mom was in the kitchen when we got back.She was trying to clean up dinner, which seemed to have been pasta with a jar of sauce.At least they’d fed themselves, though I expected Mom was responsible for it.
“I’ll get that once Arne is down.”
Mom gave me a tired smile.“So what were you two up to?”
“We watched a TV show!Daddy was in it!And they get snacks all the time!”
“You can see what impresses the six-year-old.”I gave Arne’s shoulder a gentle push.“You go brush your teeth and get your pajamas on while I help Grandma.”
Arne ran up the stairs while I nudged Mom out of the way and took over with the pot.It had been left on the stove and had pasta dried to the bottom.I reached for the scraper.
Mom settled on a chair with a relieved sigh.“So Arne had fun?”
“He did, yeah.He’s a curious monkey, so any new experience he just soaks up.”
“So…”
I turned to look at her.“So?”
“Does this mean you and Erik…” She waved her hand, as if between me and wherever Erik was.
“No, Mom.He’s spending time with Arne.I’m just the childcare that comes along with him.”