Page 21 of A Little More Love

Elliot smiled and stroked her curls back from her face. “We are going back Saturday morning. Would you like to go with us?” he asked Tifton, translating for Teenie.

Tifton placed his hand over his heart. “I am honored you would invite me, Tinsley. Thank you, I would love to go.”

Tinsley smiled at him. “Welcome. Maci come too?”

“I bet Maci would love to go,” I said, looking at Tifton for clarification.

“Let’s ask her,” Tifton said, standing.

A petite woman in pink overalls walked up to the table. There was a larger man following behind her and I recognized him as another fighter named Malice.

“Hey, babylove.” Tifton hugged her and she disappeared in his arms, much like Tinsley had.

Malice handed Tifton a small Barbie backpack and turned towards us. “Hello, I’m Malice,” he stuck out his hand.

“Elliot,” Elliot said, shaking his hand.

“Tyler,” I added, doing the same.

“Tinsley,” Tinsley said, sticking out her hand adorably, making us all chuckle. It was a very grown up action.

“Hello, darlin’. I love your sweet manners.” Malice shook her hand.

“Thank you,” Tinsley said, flushing again.

“Hi. I’m Maci.” Maci said, waving at all of us.

“I’m sorry to run, I have to meet the other men at the house, but I’ll see you Saturday to help with the BBQ. I’m on grill duty,” Malice said.

“Looking forward to it. Thank you for your help,” I commented, thankful to know I wouldn’t have to hostandgrill.

***

Tinsley

Maci was so cute! She had black hair like me, only hers was long and straight. Her overalls were almost the same shade of pink as my princess dress and I was extremely envious of the sparkle bow she had pinning her bangs away from her face.

Tifton helped her slide into the booth before sitting beside her.

“I ordered you a juice, babycakes,” Tifton told her.

I watched their interaction and my tummy filled with excitement. Tifton was a Daddy too! And I’d bet everything in my piggy bank that Maci was a Little, maybe even his Little. Why didn’t Papa and Daddy just tell me that? I wouldn’t have been so nervous to meet him.

I looked up to Papa to ask, only to realize Papa was watching them too. His brow was kinda wiggly, like when he was working on a puzzle with me. I was pretty sure it was his thinking face. Looking to Daddy, I realized he was observing them too. The corner of his mouth was lifted just a tiny bit. That was definitely his concentration face. Maybe Papa and Daddy didn’t know before. When I looked at Maci, I could see she looked a little nervous, and Uncle Tifton was grinding his teeth together. Sighing, I decided to put on my big girl panties. We needed to communicate. Clearly everyone had some questions or confessions and couldn’t figure out how to approach them. That was okay! Teenie to the rescue. I reached into my diaper bag and pulled out my emergency coloring book and some crayons. Sometimes being a two-year-old had lots of ‘sponserbilities.

“Do you wanna color wif me?” I asked Maci.

Her eyes widened and she put her hand on her chest. “Me?”

I nodded even though I wanted to giggle. I sure as heck wasn’t talking to Tifton.

“Yes, please,” she said, moving to sit on her knees in the booth.

I mimicked her actions and set the crayons in the middle of the table.

“I’m Tinsley. It’s nice to meet another Little girl while we’re in Augusta.”

“I’m Maci. I didn’t know dinner was gonna have another Little. It is a happy surprise.”

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