Back in the room, Vivica hung up the phone with a sigh of relief and quickly explained to her son, “Sweetheart, Mommy has an emergency and needs to leave. The gentleman who had lunch with you yesterday is coming to stay with you for a bit. You be a good boy for him, okay?”
Chaim, still eating his breakfast, corrected her in his sweet voice, “Mommy, Mr. Meanie told me to call him Uncle.”
Vivica paused, then stroked her son’s head. “That’s right, honey. You should call him Uncle.”
“But why?”
The question stumped Vivica.
“Well… Chaim, you’re still little and don’t understand what all these titles mean. When you’re older, Mommy will explain it to you. For now, just remember that he’s your uncle, and he’ll be very good to you.”
Chaim blinked his big eyes and said something astonishing, “Does Uncle like you, Mommy? Is he trying to win me over?”
Vivica stared, momentarily stunned.
“Of course not!” she exclaimed, a half-laugh, half-gasp escaping her. “You’re just a little kid. How would you even know about things like that?”
“Ruby said it yesterday. She said Uncle is handsome and rich, and he’s generous to me. He’s way better than Daddy. She said if Uncle likes you, it would be nice if he became my new daddy.”
Just as Chaim finished speaking, the partially open door to the room swung fully open. Joseph strode in.
Vivica jumped, her cheeks flushing a deep red as she whirled around.
“M-Mr. Baird, you’re here,” she stammered, her heart pounding. She had no idea if he’d overheard her son’s words.
Joseph nodded, his expression as cool as ever. “Go on. I’ll stay with him.”
Vivica nodded back, but her son’s earlier question made her worry that the boy might ask Joseph directly. She hesitated, then said, “You know, kids say the darndest things. Chaim doesn’t know what he’s talking about, so whatever he says, please just ignore it.”
Joseph replied with a completely straight face, “The kid’s right. His uncle is handsome, rich, and generous to him. He’s definitely better than his dad.”



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