Page 41 of Until the Ink Dries

I laughed out loud. “What!”

“She sure did. She’s staked her claim on you.”

“I’m sure that’s just because she misses her mama and I’m another female.”

“Kids know good people, Willow. I know you were extremely nice to her.”

I was nice to Charlie. She was adorable, and I loved kids. I couldn’t help but take to her. Looking around the space, there was a shitload of kids out here. I wondered if they were somewhere in the mix.

“Looking for your little friends?” Shirah asked.

“Whatever, Shirah.”

Just as I turned my head, I saw Benjamin watching Charlie as she got her picture taken with one of the characters from Raya and the Last Dragon. I smiled, knowing he probably had that one set up just for her.

“Come on,” I said to Shirah.

She made kissing noises as she followed me over to where they were. I stood off to the side, waiting for them to finish. The moment Charlie caught sight of me, she squealed.

“Ms. Willow!”

She broke away from her father at the same time he turned to look at me. Charlie ran to me with open arms. I couldn’t help but smile as she fell into me. Picking her up, I spun her around, causing her to laugh.

“Hey, Charlie!” I said, kissing her cheek. “I missed your cute face.”

“I missed you, too. Hey, Ms. Shirah.”

“Hey, cutie pie. Don’t you look adorable today?”

“Thank you.” She turned back to Benjamin who was walking up to us. “See, Daddy. I told you Ms. Willow would be here.”

I smiled. “Awww! You were looking for me?”

Benjamin chuckled. “She said very dramatically that she felt it in her heart that you would show up.”

I laughed. “Well, here I am. I’m happy to see you.”

I placed her on her feet, and she immediately grabbed my hand. Looking up, I found Benjamin with a slight smile on his face.

“Y’all been out here long?” I asked.

“A while. We came to help set up, butsomebodygot green popsicle juice all over her shirt, so we had to go change.”

Charlie giggled. “It was so good, Ms. Willow.”

“I bet it was. Did you save me a popsicle?”

Charlie turned to her father. “Daddy, can we get Ms. Willow and Ms. Shirah a popsicle.”

He chuckled. “Who said I was spending my money on them?”

Shirah playfully waved him off. “Charlie, tell your daddy we don’t need his money. Big girls make their own money.”

“I’m a big girl,” Charlie said, matter of factly. “I got monies.”

Shirah snapped her fingers. “Period, pooh!”

“Period, pooh!” Charlie echoed.

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