My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But…

JC picked up the ringing cell phone. "Hello?"

"Josh?"

"Yeah, mom. What’s up?"

"Well, Trish would have called but she’s tired right now."

JC sat up straighter. "What happened?"

"She just gave birth to a eight pound baby boy. He looks just like you, son. His eyes are so blue."

"I have a baby boy? I wish I could have been there. Is Trish all right? Can I talk to her?"

Karen Chasez smiled. She could picture the proud grin on her son’s face. "If you can hold on for a moment you should be able to."

"Okay, mom. I’ll wa-"

Flight 986 to Atlanta is now bording.

"Damn. I’m sorry, mom, but that’s me. Tell Trish I’ll call her tonight and kiss my baby for me."

"Will do. Bye, Josh."

"Bye, mom."

He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking ‘fore I knew it
And as he grew he’d say;
"I’m gonna be like you, Dad
You know I’m gonna be like you"

And the cat’s in the cradle
And the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When ya coming home, Dad?
I don’t know when but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day…

"Wow, dad, a baseball. Thanks." Scott Chasez ran over to his father and gave him a tight hug.

JC smiled. "Anytime, son."

"Can we go out and play catch, dad? And I’m not that good at throwing it. Can you help me?"

"I don’t think so, Scott. I have a lot to do since the tour just ended. There are little things I have to wrap up."

"Just this once? C’mon, dad, let’s go play."

JC sighed. "I wish I could, son, but I just can’t right now. I promise we’ll do it maybe sometime this weekend."

"Okay, dad. Thanks for the ball."

JC watched his son run outside before retreating to his office.

He walked away but his smile never dimmed and said;
"I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him"

And the cat’s in the cradle
And the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When ya coming home, Dad?
I don’t know when but we’ll get together then
You know we’ll have a good time then

Well he came from college just the other day…

"Morning, dad."

JC looked at his watch. "I think our son means afternoon, Trish."

She walked over and ruffled her husband’s hair. "And who was called ‘sleepy sync’?"

"Oh, please. No more *N SYNC flashbacks." Scott rolled his eyes.

JC watched his son make his breakfast and sit at the table.

"I’m very proud of you son. Valedictorian of your high school class and Dean’s list at Cornell. How is the weather up at Ithaca?"

Scott shrugged his shoulders. "About the same. Cold." He looked at his watch. "I’d love to chat, dad, but I promised the guys I’d meet them at the park for a game. Can I have the car keys?"

JC looked at the outstretched hand in front of him and sighed. He picked his keys off the counter and handed them to his son. "Here you go, Sco-"

"Thanks, dad," Scott interrupted him. Scott kissed his mom on the cheek. "Love ya, mom. I’ll be home later."

And the cat’s in the cradle
And the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When ya coming home, son?
I don’t know when but we’ll get together then, dad
You know we’ll have a good time then

I’ve long since retired
My son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day…

"Hello?"

"Hi, Scott."

"Hey, dad. Long time no talk."

"I know. Just thought I’d call you and see how things were doing and to see if you want to have lunch one day next week." JC smiled.

Scott sighed. "I’d love to, dad, but you know I just started this new job and the boss is really hounding me for some reason. Plus, Jesse got the flu last week and then passed it to Jimmy. As they say; ‘twins share everything.’ They share everything all right. Right down to sicknesses. And Amy’s not feeling that well now."

"Oh, I’m sorry, son. Is there anytime you think we might be able to get together soon? Maybe your mother and I can come over or something."

"I don’t know, dad. We’ll have to see how everybody’s feeling. I’ll have to get back to you on that."

"Okay."

"Listen, dad, I’d love to talk but I really do have to go. Jimmy just walked in here and he’s not looking very well."

JC frowned. "I understand, Scott. I’ll talk to you soon, son."

"Bye, dad. It was great talking to you."

"You too. Bye."

As I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

JC hung up the phone and stared at it as tears began to slide down his face.

And the cat’s in the cradle
And the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When ya coming home, son?
I don’t know when but we’ll get together then, dad
We’re gonna have a good time then