abcnovels
Chapter 202 - Split Attention Evenly
Chapter 202 - Split Attention Evenly
After comforting his mate, Nate remembered he still had something to solve. Jaden was acting weird lately, and he didn't know how to comfort him.
He had given more attention to Scarlet, he was aware. Yet, how could he not? The little girl was so fast at making requests, and he couldn't help but run to fulfil them all.
Jaden, on the other hand, never asked for anything. He would accept if offered, sometimes, but he would never make the first step.
He didn't feel like his son yet, and he didn't act like that.
Once Lara's mood returned normal - or almost - he could leave her to rest and look for the little boy.
Why was being a father so difficult all of a sudden? It was easier when the pups used to growl at him.
«Hello,» he said, knocking on the door.
Jaden was playing with one of his favourite puzzles. He barely moved his eyes away to acknowledge Nate's presence that he was already focused on the game.
Was it normal for a five-year-old kid to like that kind of game, though? Nate couldn't be sure, but he had never noticed so many puzzles in other kids' rooms.
«What do you want?» Jaden asked. He took a piece from the table and looked for the perfect place for it.
«Can I come in?»
At the question, Jaden raised his eyes again. He observed Nate's solemn expression and wondered if he would leave if he said not to walk in. But still, he didn't really want Nate to go. Maybe, he had something interesting to say!
«Yes,» he accepted in the end.
«How are you doing? Would you like a new puzzle? I've heard there are many kinds of this game... Some are very interesting. We can build a spaceship together, what do you think?»
«A spaceship?» Jaden said, unfazed. «I like this one with rabbits more.»
«Oh, I'm not talking about an ordinary puzzle, Jaden. There's this game with all the pieces to build models of complex things. A spaceship, a plane... A harbour or even a house. Depending on what you like. Or would you prefer to have a train with the railroads running in your room? Oh, that kind of thing is maybe better for the playroom. Have you visited the playroom?»
«Not yet,» he said.
«It's empty now. You and Scarlet can play there together.»
«I like my room.»
«I see. It makes sense. Your grandmother figured you would enjoy the peace of a single room for a while.»
«What about the spaceship?» Jaden asked, cutting to the point. «Is it a real spaceship?»
«It's just a model. It's small enough to fit into a room. But it's complex... I might help you build it, uh? What do you think?»
Jaden swallowed, feeling as if it was a trap.
«Why?» he asked.
«Because it will take you less time to finish if you have a little help.»
«I mean, why are you acting like this? Why do you want to play with me?»
«I'm your father.»
«You can play with Scarlet,» the boy pouted.
«You need me more than Scarlet, right now. You know, Jaden... You are two, and I am only one. I can't split my time evenly among you two; I am not capable of such organisation... And I can't act the same with you two because you are different from each other.»
«Hmm...» the boy moaned, pretending to be focused on his game once again. Still, his attention was all on Nate.
«We can go choose the models together,» the man continued. «I'm not sure what you might like.»
Jaden nodded, coming to terms with the fact that Nate wouldn't leave before getting an agreement.
«Now... Would you like to learn how to read?» the man asked, out of the blue.
«And Scarlet?» Jaden asked.
«She's not very interested in reading,» Nate chuckled. «And I will teach her when she asks. In this very moment, I'm here with you. Stop thinking about Scarlet, would you? She's safe and happy with her grandmother right now.»
«Reading?» Jaden said.
«You already know one letter, don't you? There's still twenty-five more to go.»
«Hmm?»
«Oh, right... Twenty-five is too high a number for you. We should also learn numbers when we have time.»
Jaden nodded, realising the opportunities of Nate's offer. He could learn reading, numbers, and all those things which would make his mommy proud.
He could finally understand why people liked books.
«Come here, now. Do you have a block note? And pens... Or pencils, I guess... Whatever you can use for drawing will do.»
Jaden got up, forgetting his puzzle and searching for the papers and crayons he knew were somewhere in the room. He ran back to Nate and offered the darker colours for writing.
«Let's start writing your name. What do you think?»
Jaden shrugged. How could he know? He just knew his mommy's initials.
«This is your name: take a look,» Nate explained. «There are five letters. The first one is a J. It's easy to write, isn't it?»
«I don't know.»
«Then, try it. Writing is the easiest way to learn to read. Write a J, Jaden.»
The little boy started drawing on his paper, making big and uncertain letters. He smiled when he saw some resemblance between his own version and Nate's.
He copied every letter Nate wrote, and they would read them one after the other several times. They continued learning until it was time for dinner, and Jaden learned how to write his name as well as his mommy's.
Nate had promised he would teach his and Scarlet's soon. And other words as well, just like love.
He could write love letters to his mommy soon!
Jaden was happy to have a father that day. He didn't want to tire his mommy with such matters, so Nate's teachings were more than welcome. He could see how fathers did have some use, all things considered.
Moreover, it was something between the two of them.. Not Lara nor Scarlet were involved, for once.