March 10, 2020

I snuck back into the Bunker while the sky was still dark. (Stupid time change.) I didn't expect anyone to be up and around yet - Sam would still be asleep, (courtesy of the stupid time change) and Cas and Jack would probably be in their rooms, sleeping or not-sleeping or whatever, so I went from the garage to the kitchen to deposit my confectionery purchase.

Jack was there, drying dishes and putting them away.

"You don't have to do that," I told him. "That's why I have Sam."

He puzzled then smiled then put down the dish cloth.

"Would you like coffee?" he asked me. "I have it ready to just turn on."

"Sounds good." I flicked the switch as I walked past the coffee maker and opened my box and held it out to Jack. "Here, have one. Have a couple."

"What are they?"

"Blueberry popovers. It's National Blueberry Popover Day. Sam and I kind of got in the habit of getting a box of them every year."

"Oh." Jack sounded more pleased than I thought the day and the popovers called for, but that was okay. He took two out. "You know, I think I've only celebrated one of these days with you. I've celebrated several with Sam, though."

"Yeah, National Squirrel Day, because I'm a squirrel. I remember that." I gestured to a table and we sat down to wait for the coffee. "What days have you celebrated with Sam?"

"Alascatallo Day, because Sam is a moose, and I'm like a walrus," he answered me brightly. "Fluffernutter Day, we celebrated that. Oh, and Necrotizing Fasciitis. Sam told me all about you that day."

I was still trying to figure out the walrus connection when he said that last bit and I really had to ask, "In what world am I in any way related to flesh-eating bacteria?"

"Well, we didn't celebrate that specifically, it was also 'what you think upon grows' day. Sam had been missing you because of Michael, he hadn't been sleeping or eating, so I asked him to tell me about you. I thought that maybe it would help him – maybe you wouldn't seem so far away if he could talk about you."

What a kid.

"And did it work?" I asked.

"We were up very late, talking, but at the end of it Sam and I each had a bowl of cereal and then he slept for a few hours. So, I suppose it worked, somewhat."

"What are you talking about, 'somewhat'? It worked great. Getting Sammy to eat or sleep when he doesn't feel like it is nearly impossible. You did good. Here," I offered him the box of popovers again. "Take a handful, 'cause you know what other day is today?"

"No, what day?"

"It's also 'You're Awesome Day'. We're definitely celebrating that for you."

He puzzled, he smiled, he took a few more popovers.

"I'm glad you're back home, Jack," I told him.

.

The end of this chapter.