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Another boring store. One after the other. Donovan had been looking for a specific part for a car, and had to take Vance with him, since at first he didn't think the endeavor was going to take so long.
But it had been a whole hour. Not long for Donovan, but for Vance, he felt as if the whole day was already gone! He complained, of course. Donovan could do little to entertain the toddler, and asked that he zip his lips.

Vance had enough, and despite the constant warnings that he not run off, he did just that.
He looked around the store by himself for now, not actually straying very far until he reached the door. He curiously opened it a crack, peeking out at the busy street. He could hear playful music in the distance. Could it be a parade? A Fair? Obviously it was more important than staying in a boring shop.

Vance snuck out of the store, and started to walk down the street to where he was sure he heard the music coming from. He was excited! He was walking down this street like a grown up, all by himself! The green haired toddler walked with pride, swaying his arms wildly back and forth. Big kid~ Big kid~
He had walked some distance, with many strange looks from adults passing by, who wondered what a young boy like him was doing alone. Vance stopped and scratched his head. That was funny. Where was the parade?

The toddler took one turn after another, completely guessing at where the fun was supposed to be. He did, however, find a candy shop! Joy!
The toddler tried to push the door, but nothing happened? He pushed and nudged for a while, until he finally looked up to see the big red sign, indicating the store was closed. Good thing the small boy at least knew how to read, if only a little.

Disappointed, the toddler dragged his feet away from the candy store. The parade or fair had long been forgotten, and his tummy was now taking issue with the lack of dinner. "I want burger..." The boy moped sadly, wishing for his favorite fast food. "Daddy....?"
Oh no..
The toddler had completely forgotten he had left his father's side. Now Vance was afraid. He would be in so much trouble! Now he was thinking he didn't want to be caught by his dad! He instead went searching for a place to eat. His favorite food chain was not far, but once inside, he realized something: people have to have money for food.

Now he really needed his dad. What to do? It was dark outside, he was hungry, and he didn't know what to do! Vance wanted to cry.
"N-no... B-big boys d-don't cry!" He said with a whimper outside the food joint. Now what did Daddy say to do when you were lost? Well, for one thing he said 'Don't get lost' and stay with him at all times. Too late for that.
He wasn't allowed to talk to strangers, and he had no idea where he was! He needed to think.
Vance mustered up his courage and walked back inside the fast food place, looking around for a phone. He knew his daddy's cell number! Donovan made sure to make Vance memorize it in case of an emergency. No phones were in sight, so he made his wasy to the counter, where a very concerned looking young lady was watching.

"Do you have a phone? I need to call Daddy.." The boy asked shyly. The young lady was more than happy to help, taking the boy to the staff room. "Here honey~. Do you know your number?" Vance nodded and dialed Donovan's cell, waiting anxiously for him to pick up.
When a very panicked Donovan answered the phone, Vance's tears welled up and exploded. "DADDY I'M SO SORRY I RAN AWAY PLEASE COME GET ME I'M SCARED!" The by blurted with heavy sobs on the other end. Donovan did his best to calm Vance down enough to give him a location, to which the young man bolted to on foot.


"DADDY!!" Vance sobbed, once Donovan finally made it to the burger place. The boy leapt from the young female worker's arms and ran to his worried father. Donovan scooped up his son, holding him tightly. "Good lord, don't EVER do that again..." Donovan said with a shaky voice. The boy had been gone far longer than any other time the boy had gone adventuring. "You are so grounded.. I'm so glad you're safe..." Vance seemed to be apologizing purfusely, but it couldn't be interpreted through his sobbing.
Eventually, the pair made it home, and Vance was forbade from having any sweets for 2 weeks.

My kid Vance seems to grow a lot faster than normal humans, so I started this journal to jot down stuff so I can look back at this later in life.
I'm a little bit worried he'll grow old and die before I even reach my thirties. It's a bit scary. Weird how I never wanted kids, but once I got Vance, I just got so attached. I find I worry about him a lot.

As a toddler, he was always wandering around, and I had a hard time keeping up with him. Now that he's a kid, he seems a little more reasonable, but still has that wanderlust about him.
When he isn't out adventuring, he seems to like watching me work. He says I'm talented and awesome. I like that he looks up to me and has such an interest in my work. But that also worries me. I need to make sure I don't screw up around him.

Donovan stood in the backyard, watering his garden by the pool. It was a warm and breezy day. He went about his task peacefully until he heard the front door open and shut, the sound of shoes clomping through the house noisily. Donovan looked over to see Vance come bounding into the backyard, the boy's clothes caked in mud and dirt. Donovan sighed, knowing the dirt was likely now tracked through the house.

Vance seemed to be eying the pool, while removing his backpack with a grin on his dirt smeared face.
"Don't even think about it." Donovan muttered. Vance looked surprised, his wide eyes now turning to fix onto Donovan. "Why?!" The boy squeaked with a look of shock.
Donovan continued to eye the boy while watering the garden. "You're filthy. Take a shower first." Vance scoffed and pointed at the pool. "But that's water!" Donovan shook his head with a slightly exasperated sigh, closing his eyes as he did. "No dirt in the pool. I'd have to clean it after."

Vance whined, kicking his bag a bit. "I don't wanna shower." He pouted, crossing his arms.
Donovan wasn't mad at the boy's behavior. It would be silly to get upset over every little tantrum. No, Donovan simply smirked, as an idea came to mind. A compromise, if you will.

Donovan turned and pointed the hose at Vance, the jet setting turned on suddenly to send a harsh stream of water at the boy. Vance squawked as water suddenly shot at him, crouching down and covering his head with his arms. "What's the matter, Vance? I thought you wanted to play in the water?" Donovan pointed out with a grin.
"Too hard! Too hard! Change it!" Vance whined from within the jet of water. Donovan set the settings to mist, a much too light mist of water floating onto the boy. Vance peeked through his arms and scowled a bit. "Not that much!"
Donovan huffed playfully. "Make up your miiiind!" He groaned, changing it right back to jet again. Vance yelped and ran away, laughing despite his earlier whining.

The garden had been forgotten, as father and son ran around the yard in a game of soak-the-son.