Page 33 of Until the Ink Dries

It made me giggle because it was the same line I used on my parents many times when we got here later than I wanted to be. When I turned my head to see where the voice came from, my eyes widened at the sight of Benjamin carrying two chairs, a blanket over his shoulder, and a large cooler. Next to him was his daughter.

She was even more beautiful in person. Her thick ponytails reminded me of my hair as a kid. I used to love for my mom to put them all over my head with colorful beads on the ends. Benny’s eyes met mine and he paused momentarily. He looked from me to Charlie, before making his way over.

“Hey, Willow,” he said.

“Hey, Benjamin.” My eyes drifted to his daughter, who looked at me curiously. “Hi, beautiful.”

She blushed. “Hi.” She looked up at her father. “Daddy, who is this?”

“Baby, this is Willow. She’s an old friend. Willow, this is Charlie.”

I extended my hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Charlie.”

“Nice to meet you. Daddy, she’s so pretty.”

I blushed. “Thank you. You are just as beautiful, honey.” I poked her tummy, causing her to giggle. “I love your hair.”

She beamed with pride. “Thank you. My daddy did it.”

“Well, he did a beautiful job. I used to wear my hair just like this.”

“He could do your hair,” she said matter of factly.

Benjamin chuckled. “I think Ms. Willow is a little too old for this style, baby.”

“But you do other stuff, Daddy.”

I laughed at her trying to plug her father in as my hair stylist.

“I’m sure your daddy would do a great job, but I’m okay,” I said, taking a sip of my wine cooler. “Why don’t you two join me? There’s plenty of space… I mean if you’re okay with that, Benjamin. I don’t even mind sharing my snacks.”

I opened my basket to show them what I had.

“Please, Daddy?” Charlie begged, pulling on his hand. “She’s got the good snacks.”

Benjamin shook his head. “You and these snacks, lil’ girl.”

“Don’t be a party pooper, Benny,” I jested.

“Yeah, Daddy. Don’t poop the party.”

He chuckled. “Fine. Slide me one of those sandwiches.”

I grinned as I dug into my picnic basket while he set up their blanket. Charlie made herself comfortable in the chair next to me while Benny sat next to her.

“You want one of my juice boxes, Ms. Willow?” Charlie asked.

“No thank you, baby.”

“You feeling okay, Charlie?” Benny asked. “You never share your juice boxes. You just made Uncle Jordan pay you for drinking one this morning.”

I laughed as she said, “Because he didn’t ask first.”

“She has a point,” I agreed.

He rolled his eyes. “I guess. You gon’ share with me?”

Charlie frowned. “You have your funny juice, Daddy,” she said, pointing to the beer in his hand.

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