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71• "Move in with me"

14:09pm

"Okay, buddy, your uncle said you love chicken nuggets," after parking outside of McDonalds, post-match, I unfastened my seatbelt and twisted to face Mason who was still strapped in safely on the backseat of the G-Wagon.

"Hap' Meal!" He cheered.

"I used to love those. It's been like 12 years since I last had a Happy Meal," Char said.

"Do you want one too?" I teased.

"No," she laughed, "I was just saying."

"Okay, lets get this hungry lil guy fed," I said, exiting the car.

Char followed and helped Mason out the car. She held his hand and looked down at him as he gazed up at her, "make sure not to let go, okay? Especially while we cross the road, Mase."

"Okay," he nodded.

I held his other hand. After checking left and right, we crossed the street. Once we reached the McDonalds entrance, Mason grabbed the bottom part of the door handle bar as I grabbed the top. On his tip-toes, he tried to pull the door open. I pulled firmly and he squealed excitedly as if he was the one who accomplished the task. Once inside, I lifted him up in my arms so he'd have a better view of the menu behind the cashiers.

"Know what you want, babe?" I looked at Char.

She scanned the menu, "uh, probably just a BigMac meal."

"With OJ, right?" I checked.

"Right," she smiled.

"And you, buddy? What drink do you want with your meal?" I gently poked his tummy, causing him to giggle.

"Apple juice, pwease?" He said, ogling at me.

"Okay."

"Next?" The redhead 20-something girl behind the counter called.

We stepped up front and I took the liberty to place the order, "hello, how are you?"

"I'm good and you?" She responded politely.

"Awesome, thank you. Uhm, could we get two BigMac meals, one with orange juice and one with water and the chicken nugget Happy Meal with apple juice please?" I listed.

"Of course, that'll be $14.57," she said with a smile.

"Babe, could you take Mase for a sec, please?" I turned to Char.

"Of course," she gently took Mason from my arms and cradled him close.

I retrieved a $20 bill from my wallet and handed it to the redhead, "keep the change."

"Thank you," she said, sounding slightly surprised.

She handed me our pay slip and we stepped aside, making way for the next customer.

"I'll find us a table," Char said. I nodded, acknowledging her.

She carried Mason to a table near the back. Once I'd received our order on a serving tray, I walked over to the table.

"Hey, Mase, look," I slid the toy from the Happy Meal toward him. It was a plastic Spider-Man, much resembling the cartoon version.

Mason's eyes lit up and he tugged at the plastic covering, "Spider-Man!"

"You like him, Mase?" Char asked.

"My fav'rite superhero," he confirmed.

"Let me get that for you, buddy," I gently took the toy from him and broke open the plastic, pulling mini Spider-Man out.