Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance novel Chapter 1714

The house was usually full of noise and laughter, but today, everyone was quietly worrying about how Henry was doing on his first day at school.

Kindergarten.

Henry looked around at a sea of unfamiliar faces, then called out in his tiny, determined voice, “Don’t cry! Our moms and dads are coming to pick us up tonight!”

The whole room went quiet. Teary-eyed kids stared at the little boy standing tall by the cubbies.

“My mom and dad promised they’ll come pick me up tonight—and they’re taking me out for a drink after!” Henry announced proudly.

A little girl spoke up, “My mom says kids aren’t allowed to drink.”

Henry puffed up his chest. “My dad says I’m a little man, so I can!”

The teacher, relieved that the kids were finally talking instead of bawling, exchanged a look with her colleague and jumped in, “Okay, everybody, let’s all sit down. Who wants to tell me their favorite food? Would you like to try making it yourselves sometime?”

Henry shook his head hard. He had no intention of cooking.

The teacher smiled. “Why not, Henry? Why don’t you want to help cook?”

“It might explode,” Henry replied seriously, his voice as sweet as ever.

After all, he knew what happened when he’d helped his mom in the kitchen before.

The whole class burst out laughing.

Feeling thirsty, Henry grabbed his well-worn water bottle—his mom had picked it out, and despite all the bumps and drops, it still looked brand new.

On his wrist was a smartwatch. When the teacher came around to help the kids wash their hands, she tried to take it off for him.

Henry hugged his wrist protectively, cheeks puffed up in protest. “My dad Cooper said I can wash my hands with it on!”

The teacher, still worried about water getting inside, tried to persuade him.

By noon, Henry started missing his mom and dad again.

Back in the nap room, other kids were sniffling and crying in their beds. Henry lay down too, but this time he was quiet, his small arm covering his eyes, lips turned down in a silent pout.

The teachers recorded a video and sent it to all the parents.

At home, Andre’s phone was surrounded by family, everyone craning to see. “Zoom in! The one hiding his face—is that Henry?”

Seeing Henry holding back his tears just made everyone’s hearts ache.

After everyone else had watched, Andre sat alone, replaying the video of his son again and again.

He sent it to his in-laws and friends too.

After watching, Conner hugged his daughter and whispered, “Annie, maybe we just won’t send Lizzy to school, okay?”