Chapter 16

Sam's first night at home in his bed felt like heaven on earth. It was a cool night, so they slept with the windows open and enjoyed the sweet soft breeze coming inside. In the morning, the birds twittered louder than he remembered, and he rejoiced in another day he could lie in bed and enjoy the sound.

Yvette was downstairs making breakfast, and Esperanza ran down the steps. "Mom, I can't find my hair thingy!" A few moments later he heard her feet pounding up the steps again as she ran in to the bathroom. Drawers opened and closed with force, eliminating the last bit of sleep that Sam hoped to capture.

"Espie, is this what you're looking for?" He called out to her and held aloft a hair band that she left on his night stand.

She smiled as she entered the room, snatched it from his hand, and said, "Yes! Thank you, Dad!" She planted a noisy kiss on his cheek. "I hope you're feeling better today."

"Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking, honey." He sat up, dropped his feet to the floor, and hugged her. "Say, how are things going with the boys these days?"

"They're not so bad. Now that they know I'm a force to be reckoned with," she replied and flexed an arm muscle.

"Espie...you didn't beat up another one, did you?"

She giggled and snuggled closer. "No, Daddy. I just did what you said, and I had to tell on one of them, but since then, it's been pretty good. A couple of them are even kind of fun to play kickball with. Except when they throw too hard." She held up her arm and showed him a red scuff near her elbow. "That's what they do."

"Oh yeah, for some reason, boys like to whip balls at girls. Happens all the time."

"That's okay. I'm learning how to whip it back." She giggled again, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and said, "I have to get going. Zoe and I are walking to school together!"

"See you later, punkin. You have a good day."

"I will. You too, Daddy." She smiled at him, turned out of his grasp, and ran downstairs.

"Holy cow! Sam!"

He heard Yvette's exclamation and hit the stairs running. He reached the bottom and found her standing in the front vestibule with the door open, looking outside at the one oak tree that survived the destruction of their last house. His eyes widened as he took in the white streamers floating in the wind, and when he got the full view, he gaped.

"I never thought this would happen to us," Yvette breathed as she stared at the tree covered in toilet paper. "At least, not until one of the kids got to high school, and even then I'd hoped it wouldn't happen."

At the foot of it, someone planted a hand painted sign that they read from inside the house. "Welcome home, and thanks! From Mr. Axe's History Class."

Sam didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh at the bizarre way his students chose to express their appreciation, or cry at all the work he would have to do to get the paper out of the tree.

"Well, I was thinking I didn't have anything to do today but help Mike on a case. Guess, I'll have to postpone that," he said with a hint of laughter.

"Sam, you are not going back to work already! You need a week to rest up, the doctor said so!"

"It's just some intelligence gathering. He and Jack are going to do the rest." He paused and gave her a charming smile. "I swear!"

"Okay," she sighed. "Don't worry about the tree. Maybe we can get those kids to come back and clean it up."

"I wonder how long Mrs. Petersen will tolerate it," he mused aloud as he started upstairs to get dressed and ready for the day.

"Sam! I'm not even going there!"

From upstairs, Sam could see the kids' handiwork in the tree, but not the sign. It was such a silly thing, but the thought was what counted. Maybe I should consider going back, if and when things ever wind down with Mike. But by then I might be too old for handling the trouble makers. Just the thought of them made him tired. Yvette was right, he really did need his rest. So instead of getting himself together, he dropped back onto the bed for a few more winks. That was where she found him lying on his stomach, one arm hanging off the bed, asleep, when she wanted him to come to breakfast; but she smiled, dropped a light kiss on his temple, and left him alone.

She whispered, "Sleep well, Mr. Axe. We love you."