Single Dads Club

by Rebel Bloom

She marched right over to Sawyer and Jack and cleared her throat. “Excuse me? Your house is a zoo, and I’m just wondering who the heck is in charge here.” “Birdie! How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t get to speak like Uncle Gabe?” Jack frowned up at Birdie. “There’s another kid. Why is there another kid? They’re multiplying.”

She was getting ready to say something rude, I just knew it. “Birdie…” “Y’all are a mess.” “Birdie. I already told you once. Do I need to ground you from Uncle Gabe?” She scoffed at me. “Mom, you know you’re thinking it!” “Yeah, but I’m not saying it out loud. I’m doing the nice thing.”

I noticed the little girl staring at me and smiled at her. “Birdie? Cool name. I’m Beck.” Despite the pink hair, headband, and flower child clothes, Birdie turned out to be a ball buster. “You made Olive sad today. Do better.”

Sawyer spoke under his breath, but we all heard him. “Birdie could probably handle an intruder just fine.”