“Did you call Jessie, tell her to come home?”

“She accidentally left her phone in her other purse. I called it and it rang in her bedroom.”

Jack walked into his bedroom and pulled a suit jacket off a hanger. “You want me to come over, stay with Danny so you can drive your friend?”

“God, would you, Jack? I know it’s sudden, but Jessie doesn’t use many sitters. Only Mrs. Hoyt, but she’s visiting her family. I didn’t know who else to call. I know she trusts you, Danny knows you.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Jack hung up his phone and shoved into his jacket as he walked out the door.

The ride to Jessie’s apartment was short, and Jack didn’t take it slow.

Monica met him at the door. “Danny goes to bed at nine, falls asleep on the couch most nights before then.”

Danny jumped up from the couch, ran over to Jack, and pulled him into a fierce hug. “I knew you’d come. I told Auntie Monica to call you.”

“You can always call me, Danny.” Jack ruffled Danny’s hair and glanced at Monica’s friend whom he’d never seen before. “I hope your mom’s OK.”

The girl held back tears. “Thanks.”

“Thanks again, Jack. I owe you.” Then they were gone.

“Monica’s friend was really sad. They said her mom was hurt in a car crash.”

Jack walked with Danny over to the couch, where they both sat. The television was on and a cartoon played on the screen. “She’s probably just fine, partner. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“My mom drove our car tonight,” Danny offered, catching Jack off guard.

Good, he thought. She met her date instead of giving him her address.

Danny’s eyes narrowed. Jack realized that Danny’s concern for his mother’s well-being prompted the comment. “I’m sure your mom is a safe driver,” Jack said, trying to assure the boy.

“Our car is always breaking something.”

Yeah, Jack knew that already. The thought of Jessie out there without her cell phone bugged the crap out of him, too. What if she broke down on one of the back roads? After ten, Ontario had plenty of stretched-out, deserted, dark roads. It was only eight fifteen.

“What time did your mom leave tonight?”

“An hour ago. I think.”

Great, Jack had to depend on Danny’s memory. Still, odds were Jessie was eating dinner.

With him. Brad! Probably short for Bradley. What a wussy name that was.

“What are we watching here?”

“SpongeBob. He’s funny. That’s Patrick and Sandy…” Danny pointed out the key characters and Jack listened. He’d heard of the show, but couldn’t say he’d ever sat and watched an episode. He found himself laughing at the jokes and some of the adult humor laced into the cartoon.

At eight thirty, Jack suggested Danny jump into his PJs and brush his teeth so he wouldn’t forget before going to bed.

Danny bounced off the sofa and to his room.

Jack went into the kitchen and noticed Monica and her friend’s books spread out all over the kitchen table. Among them were plates filled with half-eaten pizza and snacks. Jack rolled up his sleeves and realized he was wearing a suit, minus his tie. Maybe Monica would return before Jessie. Or Jessie would be so frazzled to see him there she wouldn’t notice his clothes. Can’t change now.

Jack straightened up some of the clutter and rinsed off the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.

Danny bounced into the room, all smiles and giggles. “All done.”

“OK, sport, now what do you want to do?”

“Do you play cards?” he asked.

“I know a few games.” But Jack doubted they were the ones Danny knew.

“Cool,” he said as he flew down the hall again and returned in seconds with a deck in his hand. “We can play Go Fish or War. Do you know how to play War?”

Not a clue.

“I’ll bet you can teach me.”

Back in the living room, Danny sat on his knees on the floor and dealt out the cards. He explained the rules, which Jack seemed to remember vaguely, and the two of them proceeded to play.

It was five past nine when Jack realized the time. “Dude, it’s past your bedtime,” Jack said.

Danny pushed his lower lip out. “But I usually fall asleep on the couch.”

Right, Monica said that. Jack guessed it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he let the kid stay up a little later than he normally did.

“OK, but we need to put the cards away and settle down.”

Danny tossed the cards on the coffee table and curled back on the couch next to Jack.

“I like having you babysit,” Danny informed him. “Maybe you can come over again.”

The insides of Jack’s chest swelled with warmth. “I like you too, partner.”

Jack didn’t even flinch when Danny leaned his head against his shoulder. Twenty minutes into another crazy animated show, Danny was snoring little logs and practically lying in Jack’s lap. Jack smiled to himself and stroked the back of Danny’s head.

With the remote, Jack switched on the evening news and set the volume to low.

To the side of the TV was the Mann Christmas tree. A few more gifts were scattered under it. Two Jack easily realized were from Danny to his mom and his aunt. The homemade wrapping paper, which was really a paper bag painted green and red, adorned gifts proudly piled in front. Danny’s stocking was tacked to a wall.