Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 14

Chapter 12

Claus

Chapter 12

(Five Year Old Jake)

Aunt Sophia helps me edit the video and add fun stickers. Then she helps me write a job

post.

Help Jake find a new dad! Looking for someone kind, fun, and who will treat his mom like a queen. Must love art and be okay with toy dinosaurs everywhere. Apply in the comments with a video!

Recalling something, I add the line…

My mom deserves someone who thinks she’s amazing. Someone who won’t hurt her. If you’re not that person, don’t apply. Thank you! Have a great day!

Then press the big button. POST.

“Now we wait,” Aunt Sophia says, closing the laptop with a snap. “And you, my little matchmaker, have to keep acting normal. No talking about boyfriends or protectors in front of your mom until it’s final. Got it?”

“Got it!” I promise, clutching Rexy tight.

I look at the door, still closed since mommy left.

Soon Mommy. Soon you will have a tall protector with shiny shoes, and you can laugh your big loud happy laugh again, I chuckle.

For a few minutes, nothing happens. Then my tablet starts buzzing. And buzzing. And

buzzing.

“Whoa,” I whisper, watching the numbers go up. Ten comments. Fifty. One hundred.

“Jake, look at this one,” Aunt Sophia says, clicking on a video.

A man with a big smile waves at the camera. “Hi Jake! I’m Michael. I love art too and I have three dogs. I think your mom sounds great and I’d love to meet her!”

“He seems nice,” I say. “But does he like dinosaurs?”

We watch more videos. Some are from people who seem too silly. Some are from people who seem too serious. Some are from people who Aunt Sophia says are “definitely not appropriate” and she blocks them real fast.

Then my tablet buzzes with a notification. Someone donated a hundred dollars to my

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account.

“Whoa!” I stare at the screen. “Aunt Sophia, look!”

She leans over and her eyes get big. “That’s… that’s a lot of money, buddy.”

Claim

The donation has a message: Good luck finding the perfect dad, Jake. Your mom is lucky to have you.

The username is Ethan Hale Offical.

“Wait,” Aunt Sophia says, grabbing my tablet. “That’s Ethan Hale. The Ethan Hale.”

“Who’s that?” I ask.

“Only one of the most successful businessmen in the city. He’s like, really rich. And really private. Why would he be watching your account?”

I shrug. Lots of people watch my account. That’s what makes me famous.

But then another notification comes through. Jason King has commented on your video.

We click on it together.

Jake – I’d like to apply to be your new dad. I’m good at business, I love art, and I promise to treat your mom with respect. I can send a proper video application if you’re interested.

My heart does a little jump. Something about this feels… right. Like when you know you picked the right color for a painting.

“Should we say yes?” I ask Aunt Sophia.

She’s staring at the comment like it’s magic. “Yes. Definitely yes. If he’s good at business and loves art, then it’s possible he makes enough money to protect your mom. But we need to be careful. We need to check if what he claims is true and he’s not just making things up.”

She types back: Send your video application to this sss address. And proof that you’re really

you.

We wait. I’m bouncing on the couch now, too excited to sit still. Mom is going to be so happy when she has a new boyfriend who’s nice to her!

My tablet buzzes again. This time it’s an sss with a video attachment.

Aunt Sophia opens it and we watch together.

A man appears on the screen. He’s wearing a fancy suit and he’s in a big office with windows

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Chapter 12

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that show the whole city. He has dark hair and he looks kind of serious but also kind of nice.

“Hello, Jake,” he says. “My name is Jason King. I’ve been following your art account for about six months now. I’m a big fan of your work.”

“Six months!” I whisper to Aunt Sophia. “That’s almost close to when I started.”

“Shh, let’s listen.”

“I’d like to apply to be your new dad,” Jason continues. “Here’s why I think I’d be good at it: I’m patient, I’m responsible, and I care deeply about art and creativity. I also promise that if given the chance, I would treat your mother with the utmost respect and kindness. She deserves someone who will appreciate how special she is and treat her like a Queen.”

Aunt Sophia makes a weird noise. “Oh my God, he’s perfect.”

“As for proof that I’m really me…” Jason picks up a magazine and holds it next to his face. The magazine has his picture on it with the words “Aspiring Businessman of the Year.”

“I hope this is sufficient proof. I look forward to hearing from you, Jake. Whether or not I’m selected, I want you to know that what you’re doing for your mother is incredibly brave and kind. She’s lucky to have you.”

The video ends.

Aunt Sophia and I look at each other.

“He’s the one,” I say.

“He’s definitely the one,” Aunt Sophia agrees.

We watch a few more videos to be fair, but none of them are as good as Jason. Some guys talk too much about themselves. Some guys don’t seem like they really care about art. One guy doesn’t even know who I am and just wants to meet “a hot single mom.”

Aunt Sophia blocks that one really fast.

“So we’re picking Jason?” I ask, just to make sure.

“We’re picking Jason. Now we need a plan.” Aunt Sophia starts pacing, which she does when she’s thinking hard. “We can’t just introduce them out of nowhere. Your mom would be

suspicious.”

“What if we take Mom on a vacation?” I suggest. “And Jason just happens to be there?”

Aunt Sophia stops pacing and stares at me. “Jake, that’s genius. What kind of vacation?”

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